Discovering Knowledge - Assignment Example

Analysis of Discovering Knowledge The paper is aimed to compare different works that demonstrate methods of discovering knowledge specifically inductive and deductive method of knowledge. The inductive reasoning was demonstrated by the works of: Charles Darwin as expressed by Richard Dawkins in the God’s Utility Function: A Reflection of Darwin’s Wasp; Galileo Galilei’s The Starry Messenger; and Stephen Jay Gould’s The Panda Thumb. The deductive reasoning was demonstrated by St. Thomas Aquinas Political Writings.

Inductive reasoning is based on empirical evidences. Galileo Galilei’s work entitled The Starry Messenger is one of the examples of a work in the early part of history that focused on the presentation of empirical evidences to be able to show the importance of a given information or knowledge. The work is a narrative form of scientific journal with story-like presentation but the evidences and observations presented are clear and even easy to replicate. Galileo’s conclusions were based on the evidences that he gathered (Galilei 3).

When the said work is compared to St. Thomas Aquinas’ political writings, it is considered very different. Aquinas’s work is an example of deductive reasoning. From a particular premise, Aquinas presented examples of an idea to be able to elaborate and to prove his point. Such examples were based on other writings and literary works such as the bible which is often cited in his works (Dyson 10). Another example of a study that employed inductive reasoning is the God’s Utility Function: A Reflection of Darwin’s Wasp presented by Dawkins.

The said work explored the work of Charles Darwin. Darwin’s reasoning explored the reason why humans seek knowledge, and that is because they always wanted to determine the purpose of every entity in the nature. Based on different observations he concluded that nature and other organisms operate through indifference. He presented evidences prior to the establishment of a conclusion. The major example of the indifference of nature is the use of the central nervous system of the caterpillar to grow the larva of the wasp (Dawkins 1).

In Aquinas’ King of Bees, deductive reasoning is evident. Aside from the said point, the common topic of his writings is faith. In the King of Bees, the main focus is the importance of faith in politics. His views were based on leadership through faith (Dyson 10). The third work understudy is The Panda’s Thumb by Stephen Jay Gould. It explored the characteristically unique thump of the giant pandas. Gould presented significant descriptions and evidences of the unique thumb of the giant pandas.

It was compared to Darwin’s studies on orchids. Through the different observation on the physiology of the panda, the conclusion of the capability of evolution due to adaptation had been concluded (Gould 2). Aquinas work on the other hand, is based on his views on different political thoughts and views. Compared to the work of Gould which is based on accounts of physiological observations, Aquinas’ work is an account of his views. Based on the study of the different works of different writers and philosophers, important points had been observed.

The three examples of inductive reasoning were based on empirical evidences, thus, they are considered more scientific and factual. Another observation is the topic explored by the three works, which can all be found in nature. For that matter, Aquinas’ study which is based on his views on political ideas compared to the three works can be proven only through deductive reasoning. Works Cited Dawkins, Richard. 1995. God’s Utility Function: A Reflection on Darwin’s Wasp. Scientific American November 1995, 80-85. Dyson, R.W. St. Thomas Aquinas Political Writings.

Cambridge University Press, 2002. Galilei, Galileo. The Starry Messenger. Bard Immediate Decision Plan, 1610. Gould, Stephen Jay. The Panda’s Thumb. p. 1-10.