Personal Epistemology: What Represents a Personality - Essay Example

Personal attributes Attributes are the rudimental features that represent a personality, highlighting the characteristics of a person are referred to as "personal attributes" or qualities of a person. These attributes are features of the personality that develops a distinction between people. Usually the attributes contain features like intelligence, creativity, arrogance, courage and motivation etc. these attributes are the vital components which unites to form a personality but the extent to which they found depends upon and is the key feature in distinguishing a person from another. Every individual in the society is influenced by a particular behaviour, which is learned by adapting the conditions of external environment, escorted by the unique characteristics combined to form a personality; it depends upon the quality of characteristics to form personality, however it entirely depends upon the way of thinking of an individual as to how he perceives such attributes. Like for example intelligence could be taken in the positive sense as well as in the negative sense. Impact in a Positive Manner When a person utilizes his "intelligence" capability in the positive manner, his visions are likely to be broader in accepting the different forms of knowledge. Similarly when a person is characterized by certain motivational and positive approach, while utilizing his creative skills, he starts thinking of perceiving knowledge and while thinking in a forward direction he would consciously or unconsciously search for the logic behind that approach. Another example is of a student who has attained a "bad" grade, is scolded by his teacher. If, approached in a positive way, he would work hard to achieve a better grade the next time. In this manner he is ready to accept any advice and considers it useful, and as long he remains positive and work hard, he search for the logic behind that advice given to him by his teacher. Impact in a Negative Manner The negative attributes are identified by the impedance towards a positive approach or we can say as a lack of "can do" attitude. When the positive qualities of a person are superseded by the negative influence of personality, then the negative attributes cause him harm by blocking the ways of knowledge. In the above example if the student, instead of realizing his mistake and working hard, does not bother about the teacher's comments and continue with a careless attitude that would be considered as a negative element of his personality. Further more, if he were followed by arrogance, then for sure he would go on with his "uncaring" approach, which would ultimately hinder in the way of "acceptance of knowledge", cause him harm and he would be in a loss. Personal Epistemology Epistemology is concerned with the origin, nature, limits and methods of human knowledge. It is obvious that a person who is influenced by positive characteristics searches for knowledge. His mind actually searches logic behind knowledge and justified reasoning behind logic. So we can say it serves as a chain ware comprising of knowledge, logic and reasoning. Reasoning because a sensible positive approached person's mind does not accept things if they are not justified to the extent of satisfying the mind. Here comes the perception, which is built when his mind is satisfied by the justifiable reasoning. Now the question arises, if a positive minded person searches for reasoning to find logic, which later becomes his perception, then what about the justifications of a negative minded person Here come two cases. Either the negative approached person does not seek for logic because his mind does not feel in need of justifications. We can say in this sense he is lack of common sense, his mind is devoid of creativity to seek the truth or logic. That implies that such a person is devoid of intelligence required for justifications. Or, in the other case, if he seeks for logic, it would be in his own interest, supporting his views, his decisions and ultimately encourage his own perceptions. So, the difference between the two persons can be clearly seen that a positive approached person is always willing to accept knowledge while a negative approached person is not willing to perceive as he has already built his own conceptions. While a positive approached person built his perceptions after realizing and seeking the logic. His perceptions are actually built form his logic while a person who is negative in nature builds his logic from his perceptions. So, it is all about how the individual develops conceptions of knowledge and utilizes them in developing further understanding of the ways to knowledge. A positive minded individual concerns about knowing, possess common sense in the light of which he perceives things accordingly. He is concerned about different beliefs about knowledge, how knowledge is constructed, how knowledge is evaluated, where knowledge resides, and how he can further take benefit of knowledge and how it would affect him in building upon his perception along with logic. A backward or negative thinker does not have to seek for knowledge as he thinks and believes what he knows is the best. He takes "emotions" in the negative sense which serve as the perfect hindrance in the way of accepting knowledge. Furthermore his ability of "lack of common sense" plays a lead role in his negative thinking. Language also plays a vital role in the ways of knowing. A positive thinker, when seeks knowledge, is cool minded enough to accept and listen to various comments given by others, whether soft or harsh, uttered soft spokenly or in a harsh tone is acceptable to him as long as he gains knowledge from them, he is willing to listen as well as share his beliefs and perceptions and does not make a misuse of his "emotions" by getting furious. Thus we can say that his "emotions" are under his own control and helps him to attain knowledge from every possible aspect. While on the other hand, a short-tempered person, cannot attain knowledge for the following reasons: 1. He as a negatively influenced person considers his own views suffice enough for him, he cannot be wrong in this sense. 2. His "emotions" are the biggest hindrance in the way of listening, as he does not possess courage to listen or bear negative or harsh comments on his own so called "philosophy". 3. If despite of the two above-mentioned points, he begins a conversation to gain knowledge or modify his views, he would obviously get a conversation into a conflict of views. So, it is obvious from the above examples that in our most sophisticated pursuits of knowledge, we are influenced by the beliefs we hold about knowledge and knowing. (Barbara K. Hofer) There are six ways of knowing things, or we can say six basic sources of knowledge, which are obviously perceived by those who possess common sense in them. Let us first discuss the philosophy of mathematics and it is related to our personal attributes, what effects it has on our perceptions and how we should make the most of it. Philosophy of Mathematics Before going into depth of mathematics, let us be clear about its definition. Mathematics is a tool, a model. It is something that we can use to describe or model parts of reality, or any other system based upon quantifiable things. Now the question arises, what models are used to get described by mathematics Models based upon facts, models based upon truth, models based upon "Logic". That implies the fact that Mathematics is based upon logic, and it was invented by someone who believed in logic. Now, could we assume the person who created Mathematics to be a negative approached person. Absolutely not! The reason is simple, the "logic" which is created, attained and perceived by a positive minded person, who possess common sense to justify and visualize his perceptions all the time. He is willing to attain knowledge and facts coming to him, and modify his perceptions. He never thinks he is perfect. The same is the case with Mathematics. Mathematics itself did not exist before the first mathematicians. What was discovered was how to mold the model to fit reality. What was invented was the model itself. Mathematics was invented. How to use mathematics was discovered and of course discovered by an intelligent person. (Richard J) Mathematics could be perceived as a certain "logical" pattern, and behind every mathematical notion there is a logic. Hence we can conclude it as "Mathematics is all about fundamental logical principles". Philosophy of Language Whosoever invented language, it is true that words express our feelings, that means language is the gateway to our emotions, language is the way of communicating and expressing our "emotions", while they are in the form of love, hatred or anger or utter in any tone, they highlight our emotions, our expressions. That means words represent our personality our personal attributes and it is not difficult to assess a person through a brief communication. So, it would not be wrong to say that words are the symbols representing our common sense, and one can easily identify a person as to which criteria he belongs to (either he is a positive influenced person or a negative influenced person). Statements when utter according to meaningful or meaningless approach, tells whether the person is in need of knowledge or not. There can be no knowledge, other than direct sensory experience, until we are certain as to the meaning of all sentences cast in the form of factual statements, or most probably we can say all declarative sentences. Certainly there can be no communication of knowledge until meaning has been analyzed and clarified. Hence the philosophy of language is based upon "emotions" and after "emotions" on the "logic" as to how and to what extent it is logical and true to believe. (Hunter Mead) Philosophy of Ethics The philosophy of Ethics takes us to religion, be it of any kind, whether Christianity, Judaism, Islam or any other religion is based upon facts, truth and justifiable logic. It is very hard to say, rather impossible to blame any religion for all the religions preach and practice righteousness and all those rules and regulations which are followed equally by all religions. The difference is just that of approach. Like for example, there are four individuals standing in opposite directions to each other say, North, West, East and South to reach a single destination. No doubt, the path of the individuals are different from each other but the destination to which they want to reach is one. The same is the case with religion, rather ethics. Religion is based upon the logical pillars of truth, which is accepted by those who possess a humanistic positive attitude, enough to build the perception upon the universal true logics. All we have to do is to keep our minds open enough to receive knowledge, and the common sense to analyze and justify the knowledge, helpful to us to improve our ethical behaviour. Philosophy of Natural Sciences Although a very delicate issue to discuss, but at the same time very logical. With the advent of man on earth, God created other living things, organisms, oceans, seas, land, fire, water and what not. For whom, and for what purpose He then connected each living being to one another so as to sustain life on earth. He created Sun, Moon, Earth and of course the Solar system. The planets, which are revolving around the Sun, all the things are created in a particular sequence, in a certain order such that a single change in usual routine would cause the Earth to move upside down. Take an example of a simple Earthquake, which when occurs, causes destruction. So, the science is also standing upon the truths of logic, and is the best and the simplest example to understand the philosophy of Logic and common sense. Philosophy of Social Science The philosophy of Social Science leads us to visualize the interdisciplinary readership of historians, sociologists, economists, political scientists, anthropologists, and geographers. All of them shared one thing in common, the ability to receive and welcome knowledge. And that was the main reason they were heard, and not only heard but heard well in audience and due to this quality they possessed a certain place in the society. The reason for their success was simple, they listened, analyzed, considered and interpreted the communication and beliefs on the basis of reasoning. Well, that doesn't mean they only listened like as if they were dumb, they conveyed their conceptions at the same time so that others get beneficial information from their experiences and proven theories. And today, they are renowned in the world and are remembered as the pioneers in their fields, just because they were able to accept and give knowledge. Philosophy of History Just like Social Science, the philosophy of history beholds the stories of success and failures of different personalities, which if we think in depth, we would come to know the reasoning behind every successful person. In the end, answering all the questions mattered in the first place as there is a reason behind this assignment, to obtain knowledge/good grade and in order to complete the task it was essential to go through different perceptions of personal attributes. References Barbara K. Hofer, 2002. Personal Epistemology: The Psychology of Beliefs about Knowledge and Knowing, Mahwah, NJ. Richard J, < http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/math99/math99117.htm > Read More