Knowledge Tok Analysis

“THE KNOWLEDGE CYLCE”
“That which is accepted as knowledge today is sometimes discarded tomorrow.” Consider knowledge issues raised by this statement in two areas of knowledge.”
006537-0010

Juliana Garibay
February 17th 2014
TOK ESSAY

For many people there seems to be an issue raised on the uncertainty of the knowledge they posses, or think they posses. For my particular work, knowledge is defined as the information which we acquire and accept as true. A key word to this definition is “accept” for many times what we believe to be true is not necessarily true and is only true to us as individuals because we have come to accept it. We must also define discard, for discarding in this particular analysis means to disregard, but not completely remove. This work will analyze how and for what reason, knowledge is able to undertake changes, while also addressing the knowledge issues presented by these changes to what we believe. In addition, methods in which the presentations of knowledge maintain credibility will also be assessed. The issues presented will be in regard to two ways of knowing; the human sciences and the natural sciences.
The first issue presented corresponds to the Natural Sciences as a way of knowing. The Natural Sciences’ most prominent method of conclusion and fact basing is the scientific method. The nature of the Scientific method itself, includes a revisionist stage, where the initial hypothesis is assessed based upon the observations found. The equivalent to a hypothesis could and in most instances where data is reviewed, replace the currently accepted knowledge. For instance, initial knowledge would be the belief that the earth was flat. This knowledge would undergo controversy and ultimately be revise...

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In conclusion, it is now evident that the word “sometimes” is an important part of the prescribed title, as it is essentially a reassurance for the non-contemporary knowledge that we hold. An example of such knowledge would be the year that the American Independence occurred, something inarguable and concrete. No matter what details may be revised regarding this fact, the actual fact that the American Independence happened is not something that lends itself to review. Although revisionist methods can take us out of our comfort zones, it is usually only details that are changed while the main concept is usually undisturbed. I myself support revision in all areas of knowledge, for I believe that change and the ability to accept change are a fundamental part of acquiring knowledge and most importantly, of expanding the knowledge we already posses.