Ways of Knowing Are a Check on Our Instinctive Judgments - Essay Example

Task: Ways of knowing are a check on our instinctive judgments The International Baccalaureate (IB) perceives the theory of knowledge (TOK) as an expansive field full of chances and uncertainties. According to IB, Knowledge plays an important role in shaping life decisions (Van, de 11). Certainly, these life decisions are derived from a special part of the brain that relays information through instinctive judgement. Arguably, judgement is a combination of various works that attempt to avoid confirmation bias and internal experiences while arriving at a rational decision. Additionally, it is a process of tallying the external revolutionised environment to meet the same adaptive response, which normally exists within any human being. Undeniably, life comprises a series of instinctive judgements; nevertheless, the sources of these decisions have attracted attention from different scholars. Despite many theories and publications, ways of knowing are a check to our instinctive judgements as proven in the paper. Notably, different ways of knowing exists depending on various factors. Consciousness is a moral obligation to make rational choices in life regarding certain topics. It is the ability to configure internal aspects of brain to conform to the ever-changing external environment. However, the key question separating imagination from institution presents various ways of knowing that complement instinctive judgment. To start with is reason or logic. Notably, reason is a privilege of knowing in the contemporary life. It is a quality of life dated back to the 18th century and can be traced to fathers of philosophy like Plato and Socrates. Enlightenment in the ways of knowing makes reason an important aspect of life. Conceivably, the uncertainties surrounding knowledge justifies the application of reason to deduce the instinctive decisions from many perspectives. Apparently, the use of senses to make important decisions can be challenging without higher capacities to reason (Pickstone 41). Many senses deceive while others cloud people’s judgement. It, therefore, is important to find the right way to reason and rationally make the right decisions. From this perspective, reason proves to be a reliable element of knowing. Undeniably, every area of knowledge is only valid and remains rational in the presence of a reason. It is a non-contested fact that mathematics is an argument of formulas and claims, which must have proof. The summation of one and one cannot be five, three or any other number apart from two. The answer traces back to the numerical strength of knowledge that only acknowledges rationality in mathematics. In natural sciences, there are various theories. However, these theories do not hold any water without succinct evidence or empirical knowledge to support the claims (Van, de 29). Isaac Newton first law of motion claims in the existence of gravitational force. This claim, however, could not have made its way to the educational platform without proof. Practically, all things fall back to the earth unless, in the Moon, this is a reason to support the argument. Human sciences apply different theories like the microeconomic theory to explain different behaviours. Without rational approaches, these theories cannot explain the changes in human behaviour when people act through chances and not good reasons. Historically, the validity of the past relies on good reasoning, which must correspond to reality. Coherent arguments supported by empirical evidence create legitimacy of arguments. However, without clear evidence and reason interpretations of human behaviour do not hold any water. The feeling is mutual in the field of arts and ethics where premium rests on ethical behaviour supported by syllogistic reasoning. Therefore, in as much as David Hume considers reason as a slave of explanation, it remains a central element in the ways of knowing, which keep the instinctive judgements in check. It is open-ended, creative, rule governed and part of human activity that has been transferred from generation to generation. Language is an authority that has consistently taken a centre stage in enhancing knowledge and hence the inevitable role in instinctive judgement. Often people know new things from friends, relatives or an authority with the right information. Arguably, language has enabled passing of more knowledge from generation to generation. Despite the important role played by the language, many people have not appreciated its role in shaping instinctive judgements (Pickstone 62). Conscious scrutiny of language attaches it to an array of knowledge components while recognising the important thoughts and behaviour. There are various reasons to support the role played by language as a way of knowing during instinctive judgement. For example, it is possible to decide without language. Additionally, it is worthwhile asking the different forms of symbolic representation in language, which creates a connection in different disciplines. Instinctive judgement requires a connection in different forms of language. For instance, sign language for the deaf allows them to make decisions that do not only affect their lives, but also the surrounding environment. In the art, music, mathematics, and painting fraternity, language play a distinctive role in initiating communication hence judgement. In reality, knowledge and language are two sides of the same coin. For one to advance in knowledge, he requires the innate ability or a learning environment. Despite the superficial interpretations, blended values with examinable traits are adopted with the application of language. According to Aldous Huxley, language is a thread that strings human experiences to knowledge. In this respect, language is an important element of knowing that controls people’s instinctive judgment. A world without language leads to a vacuum of information. It, therefore, is important to preserve language, as a way of knowing that plays a significant role in re-aligning instinctive judgement. Evidently, despite the deviance in language that in many instances leads to mis-interpretation, many decisions have prevailed (Pickstone 69). Intuitive existence in many occasions questions the source of knowledge and apparent ability to examine the external environment. An array of concerns brings into light the limitations surrounding operations of senses. Whether fancy or reality, Aldous Huxley regards sensations are symbols in the embodied spirit of knowledge. Sense and perception plays an important role in recognition and reaction (Sadler-Smith 36). It is through senses that people can distinguish a friendly substance from a dangerous material. For instance, senses allow one not sit on fire, stand in the middle of traffic or even jump out of air balloons. Certainly, humans are endowed by a series of senses that dictates perception. Sight is an important sense that allows people to see and judge rationally on what to follow. In an exam scenario, people are at liberty to apply only the right answers after reading and understanding questions. Certainly, this would be impossible without sight especially in practical. Undoubtedly, practical activities do not only require the help sight but also knowledge and ultimately instinctive judgement. In this light sense as a way of knowing plays an inevitable role in streamlining judgement. Apart from sight, touch as well as other senses also plays an important role in the line of knowledge. Certainly, blind people cannot see; however, most have the advantage of learning same to other normal people (Sadler-Smith 51). Through brails, a sense of touch allows blind people to count and effectively communicate with other people. Therefore, knowledge comes from senses, which can either allow an individual make to rational decisions or attract wrong choices. Despite the different linguistic and cultural background, it is a fact beyond reasonable doubt that senses do not change and do not miss in anybody (Van, de 44). It, therefore, is imperative to put into perspective the role of senses in the area of knowledge. Emotion is an aspect of life that is common to everyone, but can change depending on situation both in the internal and external environment. Despite being one of the elements of knowledge, it does not meet the threshold that influences instinctive judgement. In this light, ways of knowing at times do not guide people’s instinctive judgement. Any person acting under the guidance of emotions is considered weak and in many instances, the decisions result to turmoil. Emotions do influence behaviour and thought; however, is an obstacle to knowledge. It is an efficacious method of argument that do not only weakens the line of research, but also attract a series of problems (Pickstone 48). In the self-sustaining world, understanding is important before making decisions; nevertheless, emotions do not give this window opportunity during instinctive judgement. Instead, correct emotional responses have occasionally appeared during wrong instances hence leading to worse results rather than rational solutions. Justification of emotion as a way of knowing remains one of the difficult activities hence invalidating instinctive judgements based on the element. Responses vary depending on situations of horror or love. It, therefore, is vital to ask the extent of emotion, attitude, feeling or sensibility that can give a correct account of event. Emotions such as love or grieve can suddenly change events. Patriotism and racism are great examples of emotions that have adamantly overcome people’s reasoning capacity. From this perspective, it is difficult to classify emotions as either good or bad hence making it invalid in the process of decision-making. In this light, the exclusive access and variability of emotions makes ways of knowing non-reliable aspect of determining people’s instinctive knowledge. In conclusion, ways of knowing play a significant role in shaping the instinctive judgement. The International Baccalaureate (IB) regards knowledge as an expansive field that requires input from different components. Reason as a way of knowing forms an integral part of the instinctive decision circle. It applies logical and coherent reality to reflect rational decisions. Language and senses also input a lot into the instinctive judgement platform. Arguably, without language, it is impossible to make important decisions. Despite being one of the ways of knowing, emotions, do not present the same promises offered by other aspects. From this perspective, ways of knowing prove incompetent in determining instinctive judgement. Works cited Pickstone, John V. Ways of Knowing: A New History of Science, Technology and Medicine. Manchester: Manchester University Press, 2000. Print. Pollock, John L, and Joseph Cruz. Contemporary Theories of Knowledge. Lanham, Md. [u.a.: Rowman & Littlefield, 1999. Print. Sadler-Smith, Eugene. The Intuitive Mind: Profiting from the Power of Your Sixth Sense. Hoboken, N.J: Wiley, 2010. Internet resource. Van, de L. R. Theory of Knowledge for the Ib Diploma. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2005. Print. Read More