In class work
In our class we divided into groups and discussed the questions below, I have answered these questions with my own personal interpretation, some of which disagreed with opinions within my group. I felt that it was being overcomplicated as the discussion went on further. It was a bit of a mind melter, which made me want to tap out of the conversation a bit.
- Is there a difference between ‘knowing’ something and ‘having knowledge’ of something?
I would interpret knowledge as something that is agreed upon among many people, this is why people say phrases such as "common knowledge". It is aggregate experiences/opinions which are agreed upon by a group of people no matter how big or small this group is.
Knowing however is more of a personal truth that is not being said to be knowledge among many people, for example, "I know the answer to this question", this is what you would tell someone if you wanted to share personal knowledge to others. If everyone knew the answer to said questions then it would be knowledge amongst that group of people. - What is ‘truth’?
When we agree that something is the truth we are accepting that the information given is the truth. - What do we really mean when we say something is ‘true’?
If we say something is true we are agreeing that the information is true. - Is there a difference between knowing something is ‘true’ and believing that something is ‘true’?
Knowing that something is true would have to involve science or some form of experience that others can replicate. Believing something is true is simply agreeing that something is true. - What is the difference between subjective and objective ‘truth’?
Subjective is a personal truth, this typically pertains to morals, points of view, beliefs etc. Objective truth has to be based in fact and must be something that can be replicated by multiple people or sources, this makes it an objective truth in reality. - What is a ‘fact’ and can ‘facts’ change?
A fact is something that exists alongside objective reality. Facts can change over time in the case that reality also changes in a way that affects the given fact. - How do we discover if something is ‘true’ or not?
Through scientific methods, basing information on facts. - “We do not see things as they are but as we are” Anais Nin. What does this mean?
This saying appears to stem from the fact that our perception of reality all comes from within ourselves, this is modified by our senses in that we all to some extent receive similar information through our senses but in the end, our perception of reality is a reflection of our own mind. - “Reality is an illusion, albeit a very persistent one”Einstein. What does this mean?
I would perceive reality being an illusion due to the limited perception we have of it, through our basic 5 senses we form our perception of reality. This can differ between people as our senses may feed different information to different people also following this our brain may interpret the information in different ways. All of this can lead to a wide variety of people having different perceptions of reality. Without any of us possessing a true vision of reality, we are simply all perceiving a watered down illusion of what is actually out there. - Is there a difference between ‘true’ and ‘valid’? Explain!
Valid means that a conclusion is valid in accordance with the given premises, this does however not mean that any of this argument is based on truth. To have an argument that is valid & true the premises needs to be based on truth and the conclusion has to be valid for the given premises.
Next Topic
Our next topic is Ontology & Epistemology.
Epistemology: How we think.
Ontology: What reality we base it on.
This Weeks Blog Questions:
Ontology is what reality actually is, while epistemology is what we (perceive and) describe reality to be.
(https://www.researchgate.net/post/What_is_the_difference_between_Ontology_and_Epistomology) - 10/03/2019
What is ontology?
Ontology is described to be the study of 'being' and is concerned with the true nature of reality.
There are a number of different takes on the core meaning of ontology, without getting into that I would boil it down to the above definition as a broad overview of the topic.
An ontology may also boil down to being 'beliefs about reality'.
Ontology is described to be the study of 'being' and is concerned with the true nature of reality.
There are a number of different takes on the core meaning of ontology, without getting into that I would boil it down to the above definition as a broad overview of the topic.
An ontology may also boil down to being 'beliefs about reality'.
How is it relevant to research?
Different kinds of research are founded on different beliefs of what we think the truth is, therefore our ontology, our beliefs can widely affect the outcome of research in one way or another. Your ontology in research is an important thing to nail down as it has a spillover effect in shaping the way the rest of your research turns out.
There are two types of ontology that exist as opposites: realism & relativism. Understanding how these work in a research context greatly aids in understanding how ontology affects your research as a whole.
Realism:
Different kinds of research are founded on different beliefs of what we think the truth is, therefore our ontology, our beliefs can widely affect the outcome of research in one way or another. Your ontology in research is an important thing to nail down as it has a spillover effect in shaping the way the rest of your research turns out.
There are two types of ontology that exist as opposites: realism & relativism. Understanding how these work in a research context greatly aids in understanding how ontology affects your research as a whole.
Realism:
- One truth exists
- It does not change
- Objective measurements
- Generalizable
Relativism:
- Multiple realities exist
- Shaped by context
- Truth evolves and changes
- May use in similar contexts
Sourced from:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCOsY5rkRs8
Ontologically, either you're a realist or an anti-realist. Either you accept facts are real independently of the "human mind" (realist), i.e. objective, or you accept that reality is only subjective (anti-realist). Ontological theories are based on either one or the other. In ontology, relativism, as you can infer, is the sceptic's favourite approach to anti-realism.
(https://www.researchgate.net/post/What_are_the_terms_for_various_ontological_positions_Are_realism_and_relativism_ontological_positions_If_yes_what_do_they_mean) - 10/03/2019
What is epistemology?
"All epistemology begins in fear ... fear that the senses are too feeble and the intellect too frail; fear that the memory fades, even between adjacent steps of a mathematical demonstration; dear that authority and convention blinds; fear that God may keep secrets or demons deceive." (Lorraine Daston and Peter Galison)
Epistemology is the study of knowledge.
An example of a theory of knowledge is an empirical approach, knowledge gained in this manner is done by our senses, for example observing a plant in real life can lead to you knowing its shape, colour and other defining attributes. This knowledge is defined as empirical knowledge.
Another example of epistemology is propositional knowledge, this knowledge is based on facts. For example: "I know a dog has four legs", "2 x 2 = 4".
Practical knowledge is my last example, this form of knowledge is similar to "know how" and is, for the most part, our unconscious knowledge. For example: Driving a car, walking downstairs, playing a sport etc.
"All epistemology begins in fear ... fear that the senses are too feeble and the intellect too frail; fear that the memory fades, even between adjacent steps of a mathematical demonstration; dear that authority and convention blinds; fear that God may keep secrets or demons deceive." (Lorraine Daston and Peter Galison)
Epistemology is the study of knowledge.
An example of a theory of knowledge is an empirical approach, knowledge gained in this manner is done by our senses, for example observing a plant in real life can lead to you knowing its shape, colour and other defining attributes. This knowledge is defined as empirical knowledge.
Another example of epistemology is propositional knowledge, this knowledge is based on facts. For example: "I know a dog has four legs", "2 x 2 = 4".
Practical knowledge is my last example, this form of knowledge is similar to "know how" and is, for the most part, our unconscious knowledge. For example: Driving a car, walking downstairs, playing a sport etc.
Sourced from:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3IcbRNQR4c
How is it relevant to research?
From understanding the various types of epistemologies that exist we can understand how they shape research, what epistemology is our research based on?
Epistemology is needed in order to distinguish between true and false as we obtain knowledge from the world around us. By knowing what type of knowledge and understanding the type of knowledge we are using we can discern in a more scientific manner the truth of a given situation and provide more accurate research.
From understanding the various types of epistemologies that exist we can understand how they shape research, what epistemology is our research based on?
Epistemology is needed in order to distinguish between true and false as we obtain knowledge from the world around us. By knowing what type of knowledge and understanding the type of knowledge we are using we can discern in a more scientific manner the truth of a given situation and provide more accurate research.
Sourced from:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3IcbRNQR4c
What is the connection between ontology and epistemology in a research context?
In a research context, these two elements can shape each other to greatly affect the outcome of research, if your ontology is based in realism then the type of knowledge you require is propositional knowledge, these are generally facts that can be replicated throughout society.
Relativist ontology, however, may depend more on empirical knowledge that comes from our senses, this adds a layer of context to the research because our senses are inherently flawed and only offer us an illusion of reality based on what makes it past our senses and into our brain.
This is my attempt at linking the two together, my research on the topics and give me a wide variety of answers and ways to approach the actual understanding of these words. I have a feeling that I will come to understand a lot more following our next class.
I am used to knowing things intuitively, so exploring knowledge in this manner is challenging but healthy.
In a research context, these two elements can shape each other to greatly affect the outcome of research, if your ontology is based in realism then the type of knowledge you require is propositional knowledge, these are generally facts that can be replicated throughout society.
Relativist ontology, however, may depend more on empirical knowledge that comes from our senses, this adds a layer of context to the research because our senses are inherently flawed and only offer us an illusion of reality based on what makes it past our senses and into our brain.
This is my attempt at linking the two together, my research on the topics and give me a wide variety of answers and ways to approach the actual understanding of these words. I have a feeling that I will come to understand a lot more following our next class.
I am used to knowing things intuitively, so exploring knowledge in this manner is challenging but healthy.
Very good postings - thank you :)
ReplyDeleteI was very confused about this topic . This post was very helpful .
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