The Development of Purpose and the Character of a Person - Essay Example

Epistemology: What Is Knowledge? How Can It Be Distinguished From Mere Belief Or Opinion? Introduction Epistemology refers to the study of knowledge. Knowledge refers to the discovery of facts concerning an issue over time. Knowledge is closely related with hypothetical believes and superstition. However, there is a difference between the two concepts given that the knowledge is based on facts and reality while believes are based on superstition and traditional values. There is a correlation between knowledge and belief. According to Walker (2010), Thomas interlinks human behavior to scientific discoveries and knowledge of existence of God, the Almighty. In addition, epistemology results to dismissal of the study of knowledge given that human behavior is explained by believe in God. Analytical skills and dexterity commands more appeal. Knowledge emanates from learning and is subject to causation. He argues that a proximate cause is the determinant knowledge of any event or practice. The relevance of experience in the accomplishment of tasks is manifest in the dispensation of tasks with efficiency. According to Harman and Brelade (2010), cause and action in the case of acquisition of knowledge is inevitable. However, experience never reveals much information concerning events. The cause and effect concept makes the aspect of necessity vital. The issue of cause and effect proposed leads to the problem of induction. This is because this position does not allow the making of inductive deduction concerning the world in general. Experience is irrelevant in the human learning given that causation effect is a constant conjunction. Walker argument on causation leads to the exploration of induction (2009). Causality supersedes experience given that the cause of an occurrence leads to knowledge concerning the proximate cause. Experience does not help in the understanding of the causes of issues. The proximate cause leads to the discovery of the core causes and the effects of the causes. This expounds knowledge on future occurrences. Experience only gives an historical account of events but may not set precedent of future events. In this respect, experience is subjective in the determination of knowledge on occurrences. Experience does not offer truth in the discovery of knowledge. Experience can also not be relied upon in the knowing the effects of something because causes of an event can be in existence prior to the experience. Experience does not involve logic as opposed to causality. Logic is vital in the exploration of knowledge on nature. Experience does not recognize the reality of metaphysical approach pertaining to knowledge finding. The aspects of power, energy and force are manifestations of causality in nature. Experience does not help in the learning from experience because of lack of the three aspects of nature. Scientific studies are the only reliable sources of real learning rather than experience. Natural dispositions are dynamic hence the causality is the best mode of learning with regard to knowledge discovery. The element of power is crucial in human learning. This is because this aspect enhances explicit learning through the use of external and physical items. This provides a basis for intrinsic learning for the human beings. The cause and effect of events helps in the learning process. Causality is reliable in real and metaphysical findings of learning. Experience usually does not have a direct connection to the future occurrences. There is no aspect of knowledge, which lacks a direct correlation to experience. Causality is a creation of the mind. According to Parkes (2009), the exact catalyst of the mind before conception of action is a mystery. This is because the conception of an idea in the mind is intuitive and cannot be traced to anything. In this respect, experience is not reliable for human learning. Clamor for a naturalistic focus on the existence of human beings and the support for acquisition of knowledge and morality is essential. These propositions lead to the discovery of self through the use of instincts and cognition. In this regard, an individual must be engaged in personal meditation and re-evaluation in order to discover himself. Self-actualization is the only way through which a human being can discover his identity and potential. This implies that there is no reference to be made to any supreme being. Furthermore, the reaction of the faithful, to the environment around them is subject to the sociological aspect. Human beliefs guide the perception of people on the environment around them.it also dictates the social initiatives based upon the values and morals of the people. It is through this correlation that people understand the proper meaning of their existence on planet Earth. The social aspect of the subject of religion is the organizational structure and design whereby people converge to fellowship and socialize. The human beliefs are based on the consistence of people concerning spiritual inclination. The thoughts of man get to be influenced by the religious aspect of a person. Indeed, there is an inherent aspect of religion that determines the actions of a person. Therefore, it is impossible to have baseless decisions independent of the element of knowledge and religion. These two elements are influenced by history. According to Wittenberg (2011), a person’s character gets to be determined by human beliefs. Moral accountability does not rhyme with religion. This partly attribute to the fact that a person can think independently with recourse to their religious inclination. Human beliefs are concerned with thoughts and spiritual nature of man. These claims get to be held as a hypothesis by the critics of human beliefs. The aspect on knowledge leads to questions which get to be answered by reason. However, the version of human beliefs studied by the modern scholars seems immoral in entirety. Moreover, human beliefs include the knowledge of spiritual truths and it has its origins in a supreme being, God almighty. In this regard, this element gets to be referred to when seeking difficult questions pertaining to Nature. Human beliefs and knowledge enables a person to distinguish between holiness and evil. Atheists ridicule human beliefs and dismiss religion as a fallacious and hypothetical subject. The human beliefs are based on faith hence there is no relationship between religion, metaphysics and the epistemology. Therefore, there is little correlation between epistemology and human beliefs. There can never be an agreement between believers of God and advocates of knowledge because of non-correlation between religion and reality. The other vital element of knowledge is reason. This is due to the fact that reason provides solid evidence with regard to the physical world. This explains why a scholar of religion ought to be open-minded in order to accommodate many perspectives regarding religion. According to Lundskow (2007), human beliefs apply in instances of religious controversies like the religious position of euthanasia. Moreover, human beliefs are independent of knowledge .This finding also explores and establishes the reasons for suicide cases of people, in various parts of the world. In this regard, it provides a sense of belonging among its members. It contributes in the creation of collective consciousness of the faithful, which builds strong religious bonds among people. Human beliefs have its own established institutional frameworks which immensely contribute in the enactment of laws and maintenance of peace and order in a nation. Knowledge influences the economic status of nations given that the church and society are inseparable. Human beliefs also play a role in the rehabilitation program of errant members of society hence enhancing peace and order in the society. Many people respect and believe in moral values unlike scholars whom knowledge has transformed to philosophers. According to Lundskow (2007), morality is an aspect, which is based on supernatural happenings. This is because the aspect of faith gets featured. This aspect does not recognize the principles of reason and knowledge in all situations of life. Morality is a variable of spirituality hence it helps in the definition of things in existence and epistemology. In addition, human beliefs encompass complex issues of life like morality and righteousness. Knowledge analyses the design, correlation of the four components of a human being. These components of being are usually complex to understand and teach people. Human beliefs are a controversial among many scholars in the modern day world. The beliefs have been suspended and termed fallacious. Parkes (2009) posits that the knowledge concept assures of objectivity in resolving of complex questions in life. The advantage of knowledge is that any person can successfully rely on it. However, knowledge is learning over time until they become part of a person. This is the time when an individual has internalized the moral values hence the inherent urge to enlighten other people about it. Knowledge is real, and it is the major determinant of man’s decision making. For instance, the human thought processes are usually unconscious hence there is a supernatural being which directs the mind. Conclusion Knowledge immensely contributes in the development of purpose and the character of a person. human beliefs provide the means in which all these needs get satisfied in real time. For instance, when people fellowship some of these needs like sense of belonging, get met. Knowledge positively impacts on the socio-cultural nature of a person. Values have unique meaning to human existence. However, all values are relative in nature. This implies that they must be ascertained in order for their significance to be realized. This philosopher asserts that values are mere creations of human beings. In this regard, values should be relatively applied rather than being the standards of behavior of people. This is the reason for allowing institutions of learning to create their values, which will independently serve the institutions. This still maintains high standards of morality in the institutions especially the institutions of learning. The revaluation of values improves the quality of living standards of people and upholds morality in s society. The aspect of clinging unto archaic values instead of embracing applicable values of nihilism is condemnable. References Harman, C., & Brelade, S. (2010). Knowledge : living and working with it. London: Pearson Professional Education. Lengnick-Hall, M. L. (2007). Collateral knowledge : legal reasoning in the global financial market. San Francisco, Calif: Berrett-Koehler. Parkes, G. (2009). Nietzsche and Asian thought. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, Walker, W. (2010). The epistemology of testimony. A journal of social epistemology, vol.4 (2), pp.31-53. Wittenberg, D.(2011) Knowledge and learning strategies, and their benchmarking. International Journal of knowledge, vol.3 (2), pp.56-70. Read More