StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Theory of Knowledge - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
The essay 'Theory of Knowledge' tells about models based on expectation and verifiability, the use of models in various fields of knowledge, the advantages and disadvantages of using models to produce knowledge of the world…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER97.5% of users find it useful
Theory of Knowledge
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Theory of Knowledge"

Advantage and Disadvantage of Using Models INTRODUCTION A model is a of how a process or system works in a theoreticalformat. The Model is a physical representation of the actual thing but on a smaller scale. It gives information on how the actual thing works or might work. Knowledge is the understanding and information of a concept that a person or people have. It is what people believe to be true in relation to the issue at hand. The word ‘produce’ in this context is used to mean ‘explain’1. This paper aims to analyze the merits and demerits of using models in the explanation of ideas. This paper aims at assessing the concept of models and identify the merits and demerits associated with its use in the issuance of the world’s knowledge. Use of Models in Different Knowledge Areas Models have been used in the explanation of the concepts that relate to natural sciences. The basis of natural sciences has two models that define scientific inquiry after the Renaissance period. These theories are: (i) Theory of Falsification by Popper, and (ii) Kant’s Hypothetico Deductive Method. Both the Popper and Kant’s theories are models since they explain a concept and they can be tested. These major models can be broken down into models of: medical diagnosis, epidemiology, body fatigue (sports physiology), and metal fatigue (engineering) among others. The field of human sciences has several challenges in relation to biasness2. Models in this field provide the appropriate framework for measuring the results. An example of a model in human sciences is the Jung’s theory of Archetypes that is found in Psychology field. In Ethic, models are used as the clarifiers and the guide to the concepts learned. The models include the Confucius and Aristotle use of the model The Golden Mean. It also entails John Stuart’s The Principle of Utility and Judea- Christian thinking of the Agape Principle. In Arts, a model can be defined as a group of characters that defines an outcome or processes that represents a genre when dominant. Examples include; Impressionist painting genre was a model of Seurat and Cezanne work3. Modeling Based on Ideas of Expectation Modeling can be discussed in its predictability form as a wider approach. This approach argues that the use of models formed after renaissance period enables us make predictions. The model is therefore a product of previous data amalgamated to facilitate prediction making. This approach can be applied in epidemiology, engineering, financial markets among other areas. This can then be used in the counterargument against the Black Swan’s Kantian notion. This argument goes against the previous knowledge accumulated thus changing the model or even makes the model irrelevant. In real life, these situations include unexpected weather like the tornadoes and hurricanes, crashes in the stock market or conflicts at the international level4. Modeling Based on Ideas of Verifiability The nature of predictability of the models can be developed further by an irrational exploration. It entails the discussion of the behaviors that are deemed irrational in the real- life situations. It also addressed the irrationality of the behavior to determine the cause. Is the irrationality due to the knowledge models that are pre- existing? Or are the models employed more popular compared to the one the actor is using to determine his or her behavior? In this case, tee al life situations include a stranger’s unexpected altruism and excessive consumption of material. It also can be unexpected actions due to international conflict, the value of ignorance on the expense to knowledge among others5. ADVANTAGES OF USING MODELS TO PRODUCE KNOWLEDGE OF THE WORLD The use of models in the production of the world knowledge has several advantages. There are several advantages that come with the use of models in producing the knowledge of the world. First, the models are more consistent internally compared to common sense. This prevents the occurrence of contradicting knowledge in relation to the world concepts. For example, it is easier to make consistent and clear predictions from a model. Second, models entail facts that are consistent as opposed to common sense. Theories are made from data that are systematically collected and analyzed that giving the ideal scenario. In cases where facts don’t play a major role the model development, it is used in its development. Models rely on facts and the hypotheses formed from the models are more educated guesses. Third, models are not restricted to make sense or give intuitive obvious predictions. The models can give predictions that counter the intuitive ideas6. For example, the theory of Social learning predicts that issuing a reward to a child for his behavior could make him to the activity less. This is because the child might be doing the activity for the gift and not his likeness. Models are not restricted to common sense thus can issue controversial views. For example, the Darwin’s Evolution Theory that looks the apes as relatives to human beings. Fourth, models organize and summarize a large amount of vital information. The models have several individual facts connected together and it gives them meaning. The models are therefore based on facts and can connect a variety of disciplines7. The models therefore don’t just concentrate on the fields but how the world works. For example, it is a fact that children at age 7 don’t start viewing Santa Clause as not real. According to the Piaget’s theory context, at age 7 children start to think logically and able to identify facts. This means that they are able to tell that Santa Clause can’t be everywhere at once. Fifth, the models act as a basic knowledge in which other information can be added onto. For example, most of the research work and findings are based on theories that they rely on. Sixth, models have a broad scope thus can provide a wide knowledge to several works. For example, the theory of social learning can be applied to smokers, librarians, politics, and businesses among others8. Seventh, models aim to get the facts through the use of primary ideas. That is, they employ the use of few basic principles to address the broad range of issues. People therefore prefer theories that have few broad principles compared to those that have several ones. For example, Social Learning theory and Evolutionary Theory have gained popularity due to their few principles. Finally, models are often easy to test compared to common sense. This is because the models normally have variables thus can be measured objectively. For example, the Evolutionary Theory variables include time; an element that can be measured.                 DISADVANTAGE OF USING MODELS TO PRODUCE KNOWLEDGE OF THE WORLD The use of models to produce knowledge of the world has disadvantages. Similar to all things on Earth, the use of models to produce the knowledge of the world have disadvantages. First, models offer predictions and not the accurate details in relation to reality9. The information that is offered by the models doesn’t give the real information of the actual process. For example, a model of the globe is just predicts the earth but doesn’t give the actual thing. Second, Models just present an incomplete idea of a concept in our heads. The Model presented in maps, computer simulations and scale models presents an idea that is not complete. This means that one has to look for the remaining puzzle to make the idea have sense, for example, the investigation of the atoms that resulted in more accurate but incomplete models. Third, models may be not in the appropriate ratio to the actual thing that they present10. The models that are used often tend to have information that doesn’t give the exact images expected. For example, the model of the globe that are found in the classroom are not made as to scale. Lastly, the models do not give the full details of the exact image or process. Some of the important information is normally left out from the models since the aim is to make it understandable. For example, the calculation of the gravity presented as a model shows that the force of gravity is not exact. CONCLUSION The natural sciences models are designed to be tried in its form of fasifiability characteristics. In the field of human sciences, modeling is defined in terms of its accuracy and efficacy. The models in the field of ethics take consideration of clarifier and guide to define the concepts. In the arts fields, there is a variety of ways to define the models. The artistic genre could be used to define a model through the use of its varied characteristics. Some of the theories can form part of the models as they give the abstract information of the real thing. There are many advantages of using the models to produce the knowledge of the world compared to disadvantages. Notes 1. Ibrahim Afaf Meleis, Theoretical nursing: development and progress (Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2007), 307. 2. Keith Lehrer. "Knowledge, truth and evidence." Analysis 1(August 1965): 168. 3. Peter Kennedy and Carole Ann Kennedy, Using theory to explore health, medicine, and society (Bristol, UK: Policy Press, 2010), 77. 4. Malcolm Gladwell, Outliers the story of success (New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2008), 13. 5. Nicholas Nassim Taleb, The black swan the impact of the highly improbable (London: Penguin, 2008), 22. 6. Jay Stephen Gould, The structure of evolutionary theory (Cambridge, Mass. : Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 2002), 22. 7. Vincent Leitch. "Theory Ends." Profession 1( May 2005): 122. 8. Alvin Goldman. "A causal theory of knowing." The Journal of Philosophy 1, (June 1967): 357. 9. Edmund Gettier. "Is justified true belief knowledge?." Analysis 1, (May 1963): 121. 10. Keith Lehrer, and Thomas Paxson. "Knowledge: Undefeated justified true belief." The Journal of Philosophy 1, (August 1969): 225. Bibliography Gettier, Edmund. "Is justified true belief knowledge?." Analysis 1, (May 1963): 121-123. Gladwell, Malcolm. Outliers the story of success. New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2008. Goldman, Alvin. "A causal theory of knowing." The Journal of Philosophy 1, (June 1967): 357- 372. Gould, Stephen Jay. The structure of evolutionary theory. Cambridge, Mass. : Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 2002. Kennedy, Peter, and Carole Ann Kennedy. Using theory to explore health, medicine, and society. Bristol, UK: Policy Press, 2010. Lehrer, Keith, and Thomas Paxson. "Knowledge: Undefeated justified true belief." The Journal of Philosophy 1, (August 1969): 225-237. Lehrer, Keith. "Knowledge, truth and evidence." Analysis 1(August 1965): 168-175. Leitch, Vincent. "Theory Ends." Profession 1( May 2005): 122-128. Meleis, Afaf Ibrahim. Theoretical nursing: development and progress. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2007. Taleb, Nassim Nicholas. The black swan the impact of the highly improbable. London: Penguin, 2008. Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(Theory of Knowledge Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words, n.d.)
Theory of Knowledge Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words. https://studentshare.org/education/1871909-theory-of-knowledge-ib-diploma
(Theory of Knowledge Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 Words)
Theory of Knowledge Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 Words. https://studentshare.org/education/1871909-theory-of-knowledge-ib-diploma.
“Theory of Knowledge Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 Words”. https://studentshare.org/education/1871909-theory-of-knowledge-ib-diploma.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Theory of Knowledge

Theory of Knowledge

This is a interesting question.... It is difficult to know whether literature can tell the truth better than other arts.... First of all we have to know what kind of arts, and then what kind of literature.... There are many different arts.... These are film, poetry, painting and sculpture.... hellip; Some people include photography as an art....
5 Pages (1250 words) Essay

Theory of Knowledge: Different Cultures, Different Truths

What are the implications for knowledge of agreeing with these opposing statements? The two statements oppose each other in meaning but the important point to… derstand is the fact that both these statements outline the acceptability issues related with people, who are part of the respective cultures as well as the universe....
4 Pages (1000 words) Essay

Platos Theory of Knowledge

Plato's Theory of Knowledge is generally referred to as “justified true belief.... Plato's theory of reality serves to inform and compliment his Theory of Knowledge.... ?? This epistemological theory basically states that knowledge is gained through an… There are two very important and basic components to this theory.... A person will not put any effort into attempting to explain something that There is no way to gain knowledge without something actually being believed, in other words....
5 Pages (1250 words) Essay

Can you help me to choice one, thanks

Knowledge is confined to ideas and impression; therefore, nobody is truly able… The casual belief that things that happen in people's daily lives are produced by a particular cause, are the cause of our association of ideas, a customary or habitual perception of certain occurrences There is no self: David Hume David Hume suggested a Theory of Knowledge that entails logical consequences.... This means that people have no certain, and self-evident knowledge about anything....
1 Pages (250 words) Essay

What counts as knowledge in the arts Discuss by comparing to one other area of knowledge

It also seeks to address what counts as knowledge on the part of an individual, and what does not, with respect Some of the theories and principles enable thinkers to reflect on what they consider their sources of knowledge.... This paper will review what counts as knowledge in the arts, and compare it to another field of knowledge.... In the arts, there is a difference in how information is interpreted by the user, and how it reflects as part of acquisition of knowledge (Leavy 84)....
5 Pages (1250 words) Essay

Martins Four Subsidiary Philosophical Questions

The idea brings about the Theory of Knowledge that presupposes that man knows all thus limiting human knowledge.... The axiological view associates with the theory of value that has an interest in the study of goodness in philosophy.... In this view, then it emerges that the idea put across is about knowledge of things....
1 Pages (250 words) Assignment

Kants Theory of Knowledge

This German philosopher stands as the key personality of modern… Kant's Theory of Knowledge was developed so as to ascertain the relationship between knowledge and human experiences. In the formulation of the Kant's Theory of Knowledge In the of theorizing knowledge, the renowned philosopher, Immanuel Kant, had explicitly described and explained thebasics of human experience structure and asserted that reason was the source of morality.... Kant's Theory of Knowledge was developed so as to ascertain the relationship between knowledge and human experiences....
2 Pages (500 words) Essay

Knowledge That Gives Us Facts While Other Provides Interpretations

The paper "knowledge That Gives Us Facts While Other Provides Interpretations" discusses that in some cases of studies being sciences or art, History and many more, in order to have perfect knowledge, students must be addressed with facts and interpretations.... hellip; In trying to give a sound knowledge, there is the need that students and other individuals targeted to have a particular knowledge should very understanding of the language through the knowledge is coming from....
5 Pages (1250 words) Essay
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us