Production of Knowledge - Assignment Example

Production of knowledge Introduction Knowledge refers to the awareness or understanding that one develops with his or her environment. Ever since time immemorial, humans have always wanted to understand their environment and the people living around them. The desire to understand the environment motivates human to investigate and question the existing facts around the same. This enhances the growth of knowledge since investigation reveals intricate features about the environment and the things existing in the environment. Education and experience are the most cost effective ways of acquiring knowledge1. The two processes entail a series of experiments and observations of the various features of the environment. This validates the argument that observations and experiments are the only surest ways of enhancing the growth of knowledge as the discussion below portrays. Observation just as the name suggests refers to the process of gathering information by employing the five senses. Observations entails recording of the findings in the form of data thereby developing a pattern about the various things in the environment. Observations require one to study the primary source of the information. This way, an individual develops a systematic pattern about the existence and occurrence of things. Experiments on the other hand include trying new things using a system of apparatus with the view to either proving or disproving a hypothesis. The above explanations develop a relationship between experiments and observations2. Observations help an individual develop a hypothesis about a particular occurrence while experiments on the other hand help prove or disapprove such hypothesis. The world right now is awash with information and inventions that help prove the validity of the knowledge humans have acquired over the years. The development and proof of the different types of knowledge and information that enhance life in the current society arose from a series of observations and experiments by different scholars who sought to enhance the development of knowledge thus bettering life. Such disciplines as science, mathematics, physics and even arts arose from the observations of existing phenomenon, which helped the scholars develop hypothesis that they later tried to prove through experiments. Airplanes fly despite their heavy mass while ships stay afloat despite the fact that they are heavy metals. Such inventions portray the extent of knowledge and information in the modern society. Such iconic inventions have their roots in simple scientific theorems discovered through observation and proved by experiments3. Among the leading scientists who influenced the modern day inventions was Isaac Newton. Isaac Newton made numerous discoveries and developed various theories all of which continue to improve human life. He for example discovered the force of gravity. The force of gravity is among the most fundamental principles in physics that scientists employed at various spheres in their numerous developments. He discovered the force while sitting under an apple tree. While seated under the tree an apple fell and Isaac began investigating why the apple fell to the ground. This portrays the importance of observation in the discovery of knowledge. After observing the apple, he continued his studies by studying numerous other objects and their behavior when suspended from the air their developing the theory of gravity. Just as stated earlier, observation as a means of developing knowledge requires a series of observations and collection of data in order to develop a pattern. Sequences of data that show a systematic connection of ideas validate the existence of a theory. As such, the scientist studied the behavior of falling objects and constructed a hypothesis. He noted that every object fell to the ground. Even objects thrown into the air would always fall back to the ground. Furthermore, he observed that the objects increased speed as they neared the ground. After observing the falling apple, Isaac Newton continued his studies on numerous other objects most of which he threw into the sky. He observed that thrown objects would rise until they stop after which they begin falling at an acceleration. Such were vital observations that enhanced the numerous experiments he carried out with the view to proving his hypotheses. His observations of the falling apple enabled him to develop the theory, which in turn both he and numerous other scientists sought to investigate thereby leading to the discovery of the concept of gravitational acceleration. The law of gravity coupled with the concept of gravitational acceleration influenced the formation of numerous other concept as successive scientist continued their research in the discipline. The discovery of the gravitational force was a fundamental portrayal of the importance of both observation and experiment. Furthermore, just as numerous other studies, the observation built a vital correlation between observation and experiment in the production of knowledge4. Marcellus Archimedes was yet another major contributor to the discipline of physics whose inventions influence the creation of boats and ships throughout the world to date5. Archimedes principle just as argued earlier is a fundamental experiment that helped develop a series of knowledge about floating objects. Archimedes just as Isaac Newton developed his theory by making observations and questioning his environment. He was bathing on a hot evening. He filed the bathtub with water and as he entered the tub, he observed a substantial amount of water pour out. He observed this in numerous other circumstances before he developed the Archimedes principles and the discovery of eureka. The principle informs the creation and design of ships, boats and sub marines among other vessels that move on water. From the series of observation and after developing a systematic hypothesis, he coined the principle. Just as was the case with Isaac Newton, observations led to the creation of knowledge. The scientist had an inquisitive personality. He therefore observed the various occurrences in his life just as was the case with Newton. Through such observations, they observed a pattern in the behavior of the things around them. This way, they recorded the pattern that influenced the theories they later created. The observations helps the scientists develop their hypothesis6. After creating a hypothesis, the scientists carried numerous other experiments with the view to proving the viability of the theories. Most of the various scientific theories are provable by repeating the experiments and observing the outcomes. Experiments occur at varied levels. Anyone can carry out a simple experiment such as throwing a stone into the air just as Isaac Newton did thereby providing the existence of the gravitational force. Additionally, people can experiment with such simple things as food and a recipe thereby creating new foods, as was the case with the discovery of pizza. Some experiments are complex and often carried out controlled environments. Such environments help establish the cause and effect relationship in things. Controlled experiments are among the most common experiments that enhance the discovery of knowledge7. They help investigate intricate features of actions by establishing the outcomes of particular actions. However, just as explained earlier experiments help prove existing hypothesis. As such, controlled experiments among many others help prove existing knowledge since when repeated such experiments must always have the same outcomes. Knowledge entails discoveries and continuous earning. Observation helps grow knowledge since it provides the learner with an experience that fosters both. Every form of learning and discovery even in art entails both observations and experiments on various features of life. The relationship among concepts occurs in clear correlational patterns. Through observations, it becomes possible to discover the pattern of correlations. Among the feature of knowledge that validate the use of both experiments and observations in advancing knowledge is the need for proof. Knowledge just as the name suggests is an understanding of either the environment or a phenomenon. Proving knowledge is therefore a fundamental feature that helps foster the creations that arise from specific knowledge. As stated earlier, observations help develop hypotheses. A hypothesis is a universally accepted explanation on an issue. Hypotheses exist owing to the ability of any individual to prove their existence and rationality. This occurs in various disciplines including arts, science and mathematics. Such disciplines offer learners with the ability to test the hypotheses through experimentation thereby either proving or disapproving existing hypotheses. The Pythagoras theorem in mathematics remains among the most vital theories in mathematics. Just as is the case with the rest of the scientific theorems, the Pythagoras theory is provable owing to the fact that numerous mathematicians studied the correlation of sides of a right angle triangle. Additionally, anybody can easily prove the existence of the theory by observing the relationship of the three sides in a right angle triangle. Mathematical experiments prove the existence of such theorems thereby fostering the growth of knowledge. In retrospect, observations and experiments are related and are the only surest ways of advancing knowledge. The curious nature of humans motivates the desire to understand the environment thereby inventing new things. Understanding things influences the relationship among people and things. Observations help develop pattern a feature that enhances the understanding of things. Through observations, people develop patterns in the relationship and occurrences of things8. A series of observations on the other hand helps create hypotheses. The hypotheses are provable through either controlled or uncontrolled experiments. This validates the claim that observations and experiment are indeed the only ways of determining knowledge. Additionally, the two have a close correlation as observations helps develop hypotheses that experiments help prove. References Van, . L. R. (2005). Theory of knowledge for the IB Diploma. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Newcomb, S. (2009). The world in a crucible: Laboratory practice and geological theory at the beginning of geology. Boulder, Colo: Geological Society of America. Plato, ., Cornford, F. M., Plato, ., & Plato, . (2003). Platos theory of knowledge: The Theaetetus and the Sophist. Guerrier, D. (1970). Archimedes: Archimedes principle and law of flotation. London: Blond Educational. Alston, W. P. (1989). Epistemic justification: Essays in the theory of knowledge. Ithaca: Cornell University Press. Daston, L., & Lunbeck, E. (2011). Histories of scientific observation. Chicago: The university of Chicago Press. Berger, L. S. (1974). The logic of observation in psychotherapy research. Ann Arbor: University Microfilms. Montgomery, D. C. (1991). Design and analysis of experiments. New York: Wiley. Read More