Theory of Knowledge - Essay Example

Theory Of Knowledge Introduction Theory of knowledge deals with a topic which has a doubt. Human psychology accepts things only when they are proved.A well defined knowledge about a topic is essential. Knowledge about a particular theory requires them to believe on that. Logic should be properly described so that it can be used to prove other concepts. Knowledge that is undefined cannot be treated as truth and it is not useful. Data must be supported by proof which can be done using the respective logic. (Schonfled 1987). This proved data has to be applicable in all situations where the concerned knowledge is imparted. An inference to the proven theory is necessary, as it can be used for rectifying the problems in future. Existing knowledge pertains to the unique characteristics of the logic. Knowledge has various instances using which they can be developed. Mathematics and Science are two fields which require proper explanation. Still there exists a doubt whether mathematics is invented or discovered. This needs clear description of mathematical concepts. Discovery is the introduction of a concept which already exists. Invention is finding a theory that does not exist. Bringing a particular concept into existence is known as invention. Mathematical concepts do not depend on a person's belief. It is composed of pure logic and its definition. Each statement needs a proof to make others believe.(Parker 1996). As mathematics is mostly based on theorems, each of them requires a separate logic to prove that the theorem is true. There are specific ideas behind every invention. The process of implying these ideas in the real world concepts play a vital role. Some people believe that mathematics is a discovery. They rely on this by means of Plato. It is a theory that says structures are used to build mathematics. Mathematicians find out the solution by using the internal logic. Mathematics comprises statements which are either true or false. Hence this value helps in the further development. The state of mathematics depends on people's perception. Some people think it as an abstraction of the people who derive the formula and its usage. Mathematics is composed of formula using which each concept is described. Each of these concepts has its own theorems and methods to solve a given problem. The aspect defines logic and its evolution. The concepts have some connection with physics. As physics is composed of equations, mathematics helps in solving them. (Piscopo 2009). Mathematics was already in existence. Mathematicians discovered it and its components. There are different qualities which make up mathematics. The person working on it should possess the ability to make use of the existing qualities to find a solution. In the beginning, mathematics was not represented properly. After some decades, numbers were used to represent them. With the use of special symbols the process was made easier, as people found it suitable to be implemented. This seemed to be efficient than the methods that was followed earlier. Humans invented the way to use mathematics and his abilities to improve it took it to a great extent. Mathematics is considered to be tool, using which the calculations are described. It depends on the mathematicians, people believed whatever a mathematician discovered. It is seen as a model, in some case, where this model is used as a base for other concepts to be created. (Faitonah 2008). The debate of whether mathematics was invented or discovered is still going on. Mathematicians have been trying to find an answer for this. There are certain ways to know whether it was invented or discovered. Perception is an important way which differs from person to person. Based on one's perception, the impact of mathematics differs. One person may think mathematics might have been invented, another may think it is discovered. They come to this conclusion, based on their own views and ideas. The way they look at mathematics is different. Here perception acts as a foundation that helps in deciding. Thoughts may not be same for everyone. Hence perception is one of the important ways of knowing the result. (Parker 1996). Next way to know the conclusion for this problem is reason. The reason why it was invented or discovered also plays a major part. Each day a new method is found, that can be made use of in the problem solving process. Mathematics has more proven concepts, which is different from other things. Every time a new concept comes to an existence, it needs evidence. The evidence may be in the form of a theory or a specific formula that helps to satisfy the given condition. The reason behind each and every operation has to be known before considering them as a tool in mathematics. (NRC 1995) Language decides the fate of any concept or theory. A specific language is used to represent the theory. The beginning of mathematics did not have a proper mechanism to take it to the people. They found it difficult to understand as it was not clearly interpreted. Then came the revolution of numbers and special symbols, after which people started realizing the real value and use of mathematics. Till then it was not considered to be put on use. (Weyl & Wilczek 2009) Discovering something is not a completely new process. It does not require a person to create an entirely different thing that has not existed so far. Discovery is a process in which one finds a model or a method from the already invented concept. Situation is the cause of every invention and discovery. Theories are invented in a difficult situation where people are not able to use the existing factors. Since discovering modules enables the existing conditions to get a makeover and this makes the entire process simple. Different notations are used to make the components flexible and easy to operate. To put in simple terms, mathematics is based on the truths and these truths are the basis for science too. These truths are discovered and there comes the need for describing them. Scientific systems have their own principles, but then mathematical concepts are needed to solve them. The world of science also faces the similar problem of whether it is an invention or a discovery.(Popper 1959). Scientists say that it is used to describe and depict the world and its happenings. Similar to mathematics, science also has proofs and these proofs are conceptualized. Nature and its patterns are explained with the help of mathematics. Mathematicians require arbitrary reasons for each and every invention. Conceptual tools help in differentiating things and make the process simple. According to scientists, nature itself is composed of many discoveries. Discoveries done by scientists usually contain patents, so that others do not make the same invention and claim it as his work. Research and development plays a major role in scientific related concepts.(Ernest 2005). Some scientists argue that science is not invented, but discovered. To prove this, truths exist. Science has two parts, theory, which just states the invention and another part describes its purpose once it has been put to use. The main drawback in science is if a new element is found, mere explanation will not be of use. That element must be helpful if it is combined with other existing branches of science. Scientific statements need to be logically proved. Other scientists conduct a separate test on the concept that has been discovered. The main difference between science and mathematics is the discovered theories are implemented in real life. After checking this, one agrees the corresponding invention or discovery. There are different views at whether it is a discovery or invention. The important way of knowing this is the reason. In science everything needs a reason, as to why it has been discovered. Once the reason is known it is easy to determine whether it is a discovery on an invention. If it's a discovery, the reason may be to expand or explain the theory that has already been found by someone else. This is an effective way to find out the actual truth behind the innovation. If reason is one among the ways to find a solution to this question, then science is a discovery. (Weyl & Wilczek 2009) Perception is another way that can be used to decide, science is either an invention or a discovery. Thoughts of each scientist may vary and he may come to a conclusion bade on his thoughts. New innovations are made to the existing system and even inventing new things is possible. A scientist may feel, using a difficult method to describe his discovery impossible. In this situation he may invent a new theory which will help scientists to explain and describe their discoveries in a better way. If science is considered in a person's perception, then it is an invention rather than a discovery. (Weyl & Wilczek 2009) Conclusion Language and emotion are the other ways by which science can be considered as invention or discovery. Language is helpful in denoting the theories. With the use of language only one is able to bring out his discoveries. As it explains the prevailing theories, Science is a discovery in terms of language. Finding whether mathematics and science are discoveries or invention is based on the way of looking at it. References Schonfled H., 1987. Cognitive Sciences and Mathematics Education. New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates National Research Council(NRC), 1995, National Science Education Standards: Observe, Interact, Change, Learn. U.S: National Research Council. Parker L., 1996. Gender ,Science and Mathematics: Shortening the shadow Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Publishers. Popper R., 1959. The Logic of Scientific Discovery New York: Routledge Publications. Piscopo C., 2009. Invention Vs Discovery : A Critical Discussion. Berlin: Springer Faitonah H., 2008. Mathematics Discovered or Invented. [Online] Updated 2008. Available at: http://www.oppapers.com/essays/Mathematics-Invented-Discovered/177232 [Accessed 4th Dec. 2009] Ernest P., 2005. Is Mathematics Invented Or Discovered. [Online] Updated 2005 http://people.exeter.ac.uk/PErnest/pome12/article2.htm [Accessed 4th Dec. 2009] Weyl H., Wilczek F. 2009, Philosophy of Mathematics and Natural Science. London: Princeton University Press. Read More