Reflection on the Concept of Knowledge

Reflection on the Concept of Knowledge â€Å"That which is accepted as knowledge today is sometimes discarded tomorrow.† Consider knowledge issues raised by this statement in two areas of knowledge. Satyajith Botcha Plato’ once said, â€Å"Knowledge is a justified, true belief.† [1]It’s not just systematic organization of facts, but what an individual deems true and invests faith in. When we talk about knowledge being â€Å"discarded,† does it mean that it’s nullified and not further used? Or, does it mean that it’s temporarily ignored due to differing opinions? In my opinion, knowledge can be debunked as in, discarded or temporarily put on hold, much like theories. As the statement is further explored, another questions arises as to who â€Å"accepts† knowledge or who â€Å"discards,† it? I believe, knowledge should always be backed by legitimate evidence. In my study, I want to explore the multiple perspectives – the various possibilities, ideas, and the holistic view on which our world ought to be explored, in order to understand what knowledge truly is and its significance on our lives. One begins to question the usefulness of knowledge if it would eventually become obsolete anyways? If knowledge can change so easily, do we have the right to question the validity of the current theorems if they would only have a temporary existence? I believe that eventually it is up to the individual to accept knowledge as it is today. However, if one wants to question it, they have the right to do so because, if no one questioned information newer information would never come into existence and the world would never progress. This does not mean that in our progress toward the future we can forget the past. In the modern world, two widely known areas of knowledge which have numerous practical applications, the natural sciences and history have undergone drastic changes revolutionizing each field. To further my study I will be using three different ways of knowing –reason, sense perception and emotion. History as we know is a record of our entire past experiences, information and ideas. It shows us the way the world was, or what we thought was in the previous generations. We can clearly see through a panorama of perception, the radical change in knowledge, evident in modern human’s different way of thinking than from that of their ancestors. On the other hand, the natural sciences, we see sweeping changes all over the globe occurring even as we speak. We are given new things to see, to explore and to question due to the rapid development in technology and scientific research. But, how legitimate is this? Is it possible that some of the material we know today is perhaps less sensible than that of the ‘outdated’ discoveries, or information that our ancestors perceived as the right ones? If so, how do we bank on what is right and what is wrong, or how do we predict what could change and what could not? A theory that has long been discarded is that of spontaneous generation[2]. This stated that human beings originated from inanimate lifeless substances, such as rocks. Our ancestors developed this through viewing the growth of maggots from rotting meat. Although this concept seems ridiculous now, we must understand that this theory was believed by most of the 19th century scientists. In fact, it was considered as a scientific fact. However, the theory of falsification[3] that basically tells us that there is an inherent possibility that a hypothesis or theory can be false is an example of the instability of knowledge. This is where those who believe in wide-range perception come in. This is where perception kicks in as a key element to survival and to understanding knowledge. â€Å"Spontaneous generation† was countered by Luis Pasteur in 1859, putting it to test[4]. He had placed two pieces of meat in separate jars, one opened and the other closed. He observed maggots only gro wing in the one that was opened. Thus, he concluded that the origins of the maggots must be from outside, living organisms in the air. In truth it was flies that had laid their eggs in the meat to nourish their young. In an instant our view of the world and the perspective of the origins of life were debunked. Nevertheless people began to believe just as completely in a whole new theory proposed by Pasteur[5]. On this basis, at this rate, if a major portion of an entire generation would believe in the same fact for years without doubt, then where does the fate of human kind lie?. I believe that I can find the right information using both intuition and reasoning. For example, when you look at all the historians that worked hard to define knowledge through their works or investigations, you see flaws in the knowledge that we had blindly believed for generations. The internet era’s historic event, The World Trade Centre 9/11 attack, was claimed by conspiracy theorists to have collapsed in 9 seconds inciting probable links to the centre being rigged with explosives prior to the attack[6]. This theory was supported by Rosie O’Donnell who stated that investigation was must. If this wasn’t ever questioned, an entire historic event would simply be falsified in records due to a one person’s wrong research. Many people would’ve believed her account despite never even witnessing the actual footage of the building collapsing, which took almost 20 plus seconds. This defies the entire logic of the building falling at â€Å"free-fall† speed, shattering the entirely false conspiracy. Not only can such theory affect the emotional stability of researchers, patriots and common men and women, but can create a sore patch in the minds of the victims’ families that actually underwent trauma through such events. Nevertheless, we now understand that the peculiar collapsing of the building was due to the fact that it had been built with triangles around the sectors of the building because of its enormity. A majority of people, however, did not know the truth and based their views on less knowledge associated with something never completely understood. Only when people started looking into the matter themselves was it instantly debunked. If this same process was repeated throughout history, we could find many loopholes. Ultimately, it lies in the individual, whether one would accept or deny the knowledge granted. Perception is what drives this; people choose what they believe in. Our reasoning cannot always be right but we are rational beings, capable of making informed decisions with some prior knowledge. Some essential human based facts always will persist and the key to understanding these facts is beyond simply accepting them. To truly understand a concept one must ask questions about that specific subject and their knowledge can either be further strengthened or their entire perception could change. People unnecessarily take information sculpted by someone else’s research without doing any of their own based on the idea that the researcher who took the time to do the investigation must be correct. It must be regarded as false until the point when the one who receives the information actually looks into the matter and validates the knowledge. In a world where information changes every day, some persist, and some simply vanish creating needless new ideas. One such idea that had been so ingrained in the mind of humanity was the concept of a static universe. This image of the universe had persisted even until the twentieth century. In fact, one of the greatest intellectual minds Albert Einstein even believed in this concept. When he had created his theory of the universe, the general theory of relativity, in 1915 he added a completely irrelevant and seemingly random concept just to accommodate it. He introduced the idea of a cosmological constant, an all pervading force that would prevent the universe contracting from gravity and remain static. Before this, though Edwin Hubble had observed a red shift in the galaxies nearby and an even larger shift in those further. A red shift occurs when light that is emitted by a source, a galaxy for example, that is moving away from the observer becomes elongated. This phenomenon was obs erved on all sides of us and it increases with distance, meaning that the universe was expanding in all directions. Einstein did not accept this knowledge and had unnecessarily complicated his theory by adding a constant that clearly made no sense. The information that was proven true was not accepted, as a previous knowledge was stuck in his mind restricting his ability to formulate a realistic theory. Later, he understood the validity of the information and incorporated the idea of an expanding universe into his theory. A theory previously thought false was proven true and needlessly discarded. But, the urge to question, the urge to want to know more will always be a crucial part of the human mind. This is what will lead us to want to change the knowledge we know today and enhance current knowledge. It doesn’t stop there though; perception is the key to becoming a knowledgeable thinker. If one thinks critically about all the minute and grand paradigms of the universe, the inventive scope for more knowledge could be limitless. Bibliography http://oregonstate.edu/instruct/phl201/modules/Philosophers/Protagoras/protagoras_plato_knowledge.htm http://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/scientific-experiments/scientific-method5.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falsifiability http://listverse.com/2009/01/19/10-debunked-scientific-beliefs-of-the-past/ http://www.pasteurbrewing.com/the-life-and-work-of-louis-pasteur/experiments/louis-pasteurs-experiment-to-refute-spontaneous-generation/204.html http://www.debunking911.com/freefall.htm 1 [1] http://oregonstate.edu/instruct/phl201/modules/Philosophers/Protagoras/protagoras_plato_knowledge.htm [2] http://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/scientific-experiments/scientific-method5.htm [3] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falsifiability [4] http://listverse.com/2009/01/19/10-debunked-scientific-beliefs-of-the-past/ [5] http://www.pasteurbrewing.com/the-life-and-work-of-louis-pasteur/experiments/louis-pasteurs-experiment-to-refute-spontaneous-generation/204.html [6] http://www.debunking911.com/freefall.htm

Are Computers a Hindrance?

Write about the following topic:Some people consider computers to be more of a hindrance than a help. Others believe that they have greatly increased human potential. How could computers be considered a hindrance? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own experience. Write at least 250 words. Look at the words or phrases in capitals. Correct your version where necessary. It is easy to understand why some people believe that computers are more of a hindrance than a help. Operations such as obtaining a refund or changing a ticket tend to be fairly straightforward without the aid of a computer, yet once one is involved, the process can become time-consuming, complex and prone to errors. In an office environment, it can sometimes seem that for every hour saved by computers, at least set of problems caused by a system malfunction. Another consideration is that, over-enthusiastic use of computers in the home has the potential to divert large amounts of free time away from activities such as socialising, tasking exercise or having dinner with your family. Spending a lot of leisure time looking at a computer monitor screen could perhaps achieving other goals in life, such as being healthy and socially integrated. However, it would be simplistic to assert that computers have a generally negative impact. There have been enormous advences in communications, medicine, design, education and numerous fields of human endeavour. Nowadays, virtually the entire sum of human knowledge is as far away as the nearest internet point. Computers have brought about a profound change in the way most people inthe developed world live. (Although it should not be forgotten that the majority of the inhabitants of this planet have never so much as touched a computer keyboard. ) The benefits of computers undoubtedly outweigh the disadventages. The question is not whethercomputers help or hinder, but whether people always use their huge potential in a sensible and responsible way?

Critical thinking Essay

I value individual balance when I am seeking to satisfy my duties. This is known, as temperance; meaning moderation or self-restraint. As you continue to read, I will be discussing a little on critical thinking, responsibility and I will also point out a couple down falls. You will discover briefly, how I feel about responsibility and my work ethics. Critical thinking is something I do every day both at work and at home. When I take on a new job or project, I use critical thinking to analyze a problem and learn how to solve it. I find myself at my best when I am aware of my duties on a project, learning new information and becoming familiar with the rules and guidelines necessary to complete a project. Critical thinking helps me to understand my reasons for acting and believing that the motive justifies the method. This self-knowledge helps me to see all aspects of the project so I can see the big picture rather than focus on a small piece of the whole. If I find myself not paying attention, I can be tempted to excuse myself from following the rules. I often find myself revisiting how a project needs to be completed in a certain way so I do not overstep any boundaries. I try not to obsess over minute details because they can at times consume me and leave me feeling as though I do not have enough self-knowledge. I do not want to get exhausted, so I make a point to practice mindfulness and take time to reflect. Temperance, fulfilling duties, and self-knowledge are the main three points that I value as an individual. Completing all the duties that I am given to the fullest extent with the guidelines that protect the project, gives me the satisfaction I need for a â€Å"job well done.† An ethical person is one who fulfills his or her duties and does the right thing.

Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa Essay examples

Many young women suffer from eating disorders. Criticized and shamed by the many for their body, weight, and looks, insecurities are abundant in these women. Especially female celebrities, whom are constantly held to unreachable standards by the public. These insecurities can lead to a plethora of psychological problems or disorders, including eating disorders. An eating disorder is defined as â€Å"an illness that causes serious disturbances to your everyday diet, such as eating extremely small amounts of food or severely overeating† by the National Institution of Mental Health. In the past few years, many celebrities have come out as suffering from an eating disorder, one of the more recent to be the pop star Kesha. One of the eating†¦show more content†¦Therapy is often used. And oftentimes patients are submitted into a psychiatric ward for people suffering with eating disorders. Bulimia Nervosa is the other eating disorder Kesha suffered from. The APA descr ibes bulimia as eating in â€Å"..excessive quantities, then [purging] their bodies of the food and calories they fear by using laxatives, enemas, or diuretics; vomiting; or exercising.† Bulimia is more common in young women, but can also occur with young men. Because it involves purging the food after eating, the person with the disorder is usually aware of the problem and can feel guilty about it. The National Library of Medicine states that bulimia can be caused by a number of things, including â€Å"genetic, psychological, trauma, family, society, or cultural factors.† Symptoms include immediate trips to the restroom after eating, excessive exercise, eating large amounts of food in one sitting (binging), and using laxatives. Bulimia can cause dehydration, gingivitis, worn enamel on the teeth, pancreatitis, tears in the esophagus, and broken blood vessels in the eyes. A person with bulimia may only eat in secret, or eat large sums of food in one sitting. This can cause discomfort and purging can either cause relief or guilt. Support groups, therapy, and antidepressants may be used to treat a person with bulimia. Hospitalization or inpatient treatment is rarely necessary unless another disorder accompanies the bulimia. KeshaShow MoreRelatedAnorexia Nervosa And Bulimia Nervosa1452 Words   |  6 Pagestwo major types of eating disorders are Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa. One of the descriptions of anorexia nervosa was during the 12th and 13th centuries. A woman, Saint Catherine of Siena, ceased her intake of food for a spiritual denial of herself. During the 16th century people who had self-discipline and practiced abstention were suspected to be witches and were burned at the stake. In the 17th century all the way through the 19th century anorexia was perceived to be an endocrine disorderRead MoreAnorexia Nervosa And Bulimia Nervosa1122 Words   |  5 PagesAnorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa are a few of the most common disorders struggled with today. Anorexia Nervosa is a condition of the intense fear to gain weight, which results in consistent lack of eating. Bulimia Nervosa, involves frequent episodes of binge eating followed by throwing up because of fear of gaining weight. The mortality rate for anorexia is the highest of all mental disorders yet the genetic factors relating them were not a huge concern to look into. It is easy to think that Read MoreAnorexia Nervosa And Bulimia Nervosa Essay1944 Words   |  8 Pagesobsessed, that they will start to see themselves as larger than they truly are and will take serious measures to accomplish their dream of being thin. This â€Å"thin fantasy† develops into eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Although anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are both eating disorders where the person has a misperception of his or her own body and relies on starving/fasting, purging, and excessive exercise to lose weight, these conditions do vary in the way they areRead More Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa Essay1163 Words   |  5 Pagescan suffer. But eating disorders, such as Bulimia Nervosa or Anorexia Nervosa, are generally found in adolescent girls and young women. Anorexia Nervosa affects less than one percent of adolescent girls and young women, whereas, Bulimia Nervosa affects two percent. Approximately five percent of people with Anorexia are mal e. One main alleged cause is the media for their portrayal of young men and women and using unrealistic body shapes. Anorexia Nervosa is generally a preoccupation with thinnessRead MoreBulimia Nervosa and Anorexia Nervosa Essay997 Words   |  4 PagesEating disorders are extremely harmful and rising in prevalence. . The two most common eating disorders are Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa. In this essay, I will compare and contrast these two disorders. This essay will also assess the symptoms, causes, health affects and the most prevalent characteristics of people diagnosed with these two eating disorders. â€Å"Anorexia Nervosa is characterized by self-starvation to avoid obesity. People with this disorder believe they are overweight, evenRead MoreEffects Of Anorexia Nervosa And Bulimia Nervosa1150 Words   |  5 Pagesto eating disorders, the media plays an influential role in the lives of many women. Eating disorders are abnormal and serious disturbances in one s eating habits caused by many factors. Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are two well-known eating disorders. The causes of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are difficult to understand but there are a lot of factors that play a role in the development of them. Females are more likely to develop an eating disorder and heightened concern about weightRead MoreEating Disorders : Anorexia Nervosa And Bulimia Nervosa1303 Words   |  6 Pagesdisorder. Out of all the eating disorders, the two most common are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder where people, who are underweight, see themselves as overweight. People with anorexia are obsessed with weighing themselves and eat small portions of a certain type of food. Some people can also have binge-eating disorder by self-vomiting, excessive exercising and extreme dieting. Anorexia is the fear of becoming fat and in order to stay thin, the personRead More Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa Essay examples2484 Words   |  10 Pagesprevalent disorders today are; Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa. Bulimia Nervosa affects 2 to 3 % of all women 15 to 40. Many young women between middle and high school develop often these bad habits to cope with the insecurities developing around them. These two disorders are affecting individuals younger and younger each year. Anorexia generally begins between 12 and 20 and coincides with the beginning and ending of high school. Recent studies have shown that Bulimia tends to affect 5% of all highRead MoreA Brief Note On Anorexia Nervosa And Bulimia Nervosa1280 Words   |  6 PagesAnorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa Eating disorders are classified as mental disorders and can lead to life threatening damage. It is important to manage eating disorders to prevent health effects. There are many different possibilities for patients with disorders. Common treatments for eating disorders can consists of counselor or therapists. Early detection is important to limit future oral health effects. A dental hygienist has an advantage to see the inside of the mouth for possible traumaRead MoreBulimia Nervos Anorexia Nervosa2594 Words   |  11 PagesBulimia Nervosa Bulimia originated in Greece, from the word boulimia, which is defined as extreme hunger (the Bella Vita, 2013). Bulimia falls into the category of being a purge disorder, a lot of the time people that struggle with bulimia may have times where they battle with anorexia nervosa, meaning they restrict themselves from eating. There have been so many cases where people battle with bulimia for years upon years, despite the large variety of treatment there is. There are many perspectives