The Acquisition of Knowledge

Paper Summary:

This philosophy paper investigates how knowledge is acquired in science, art and economics by exploring whether more knowledge is gained by breaking or following the conventions prevalent in that subject. The paper first looks at the difference between information and true knowledge. It then shows the differences between different areas of knowledge and shows that while knowledge is acquired in different ways, breaking conventions ultimately provides a greater knowledge than following the same conventions.

From the Paper:

"The methods through which knowledge is gained are some of the most important aspects of knowledge. Within different Areas of Knowledge (AOKs) knowledge is acquired by working in and around the paradigm that prevails at the time. A paradigm is the set of assumptions and concepts that constitutes the way of viewing reality in an intellectual discipline . In the various AOKs, knowledge is acquired differently and even within an individual AOK there are differences in the acquisition of knowledge when it is done by following and breaking with the convention of the time. Science is an AOK that works inside and outside of its conventions, deriving knowledge that is heavily based in fact. Scientific knowledge has been gained in areas such as the Big Bang Theory."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Paradigm Definition. http://www.thefreedictionary.com/paradigm. [Accessed: 21 June 2007]
• Expanding Universe. http://archive.ncsa.uiuc.edu/Cyberia/Cosmos/ExpandUni.html. [Accessed: 6 March 2007]
• Ancient Maya - Knowledge Through Art. http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/teachers/lessonplans/art/maya_6-07.html [Accessed 12 March 2007]
• Mark Harden's Artchive "Impressionism". http://www.artchive.com/artchive/impressionism.html. [Accessed 13 March 2007]
• The Humanities as a Kind of Knowledge. http://sitemason.vanderbilt.edu/files/gbQaUo/Lecture%20I%20Gt.bks.doc [Accessed 14 March 2007]

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• Essay # 68160 : "Personal Philosophy of Knowledge"

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