The Theory of Knowledge

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Recommended: How history and natural science relate

"That which is accepted as knowledge today is sometimes discarded tomorrow." Is it ever truly knowledge if it can be simply discarded the next day? Or alternatively if knowledge can be dismissed or discarded then where is its value? Can certain sources of knowledge be more easily discarded due to how they are researched?

Some people wish for concrete evidence to prove or disprove an idea or belief and through this can arrive at what they believe is knowledge of a topic. Through the study of History, the Natural Sciences and the sensory perceptions, we will see that an idea or belief, which is held to be knowledge one day, can be discarded or altered in the years to come, between which there is a major difference of conservation and destruction. The natural sciences can be seen as areas of knowledge that consistently discard hypotheses and also change them. However in contrast can it be seen that the study of history is able to discard more or less knowledge? Along these lines how does this knowledge link to the areas of knowledge within the study of history?

Scientific claims and theories can be held as knowledge for a long period of time. In order to gain knowledge in the natural sciences that which is claimed to be knowledge must be rigorously challenged and must stand up to the test of time by other scientists. Nothing in the natural sciences can be seen as simply true as it cannot be proved as 100% true; this means that science simply aims to prove that theories are either false or not false. This is due to that which can be regarded as knowledge will often be disregarded or built upon. In the natural sciences hypotheses are first created and then they undergo rigorous testing t...

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...knowledge could prove fatal to the progression of humans. Would it ever be possible however to have knowledge that cannot be discarded, since our opinions and ways of knowing are constantly changing? The closest that we may get to absolute certainty is mathematics. This contrasts to History and the Natural sciences as it relies upon variables that cannot change, allowing for knowledge that can be regarded as almost certain.

Works Cited

A Science Odyssey. “Hubble finds proof that the universe is expanding.” Date accessed September 22, 2013. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aso/databank/entries/dp29hu.html.

Brainy Quote. “George Santayana.” Date accessed September 22, 2013. http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/g/georgesant101521.html.

History Learning Site. “1945-1950.” Date accessed September 25, 2013. http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/1945-1950.htm

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