The Theory of Knowledge—a core element of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme—is a course in epistemology and practical philosophy. By examining short texts (including but not limited to local and world issues, philosophy, history and its perspectives, and scientific research) and the knowledge issues they contain and inspire, you will gain the skills necessary to analyze knowledge claims, their underlying assumptions, and their implications.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Nice Knowing You
Today, please begin by thinking and writing about what you mean when you say, "I know." Does the phrase's meaning change in context? Is it always true? Are you ever wrong, and if so, why? Take your time; explore knowing.
Saying "I know." means that you have prior knowledge of something or you are aware of what someone is trying to explain to you. The phrase's meaning can change depending on what you are talking about or who you are talking to. Saying "I know." to Sally would be different than saying "I know." to a friend or family member. The meaning changes with the level of respect between the people talking. Saying "I know." isn't always true. Someone can say they know but you must first listen to understand the point. You can be wrong in saying "I know." because, there is always more to know.
~What does it mean to say "I know"? Knowing information changes in every kind of context. When you know something it means you understand the components and are able to fully explain it to someone else. When I say "I know" it means I understand the information given or what has happened in the past. Someone can say "I know" and not actually "know" the information. They might be confused on the information they believe they "know." Sometimes I might use the term "I know" when I am just acknowledging another person. It can be used loosely sort of like "yeah" or "okay." When talking with someone else, you can use the term by acknowledging their statement, as well as when someone is saying something and they ask you if you understand them I would respond by saying, "I know what you mean." You don't always know when you say "I know" because you could being using the term to make someone stop talking or you just want to seem like you know what people are talking about. When I say "I know" and I either am conscious I'm wrong or later find out that I'm wrong, I'll find out through other people by listening to other comments or if someone corrects me. This phrase can be interchangeable with the "I understand" because when you understand information you "know" what you are learning, and if you "know" something I believe you fully understand what you "know."
The phrase "I know" can change meanings with context. In an academic environment "I know" usually means that "I know" the answer to the question, or how to contribute to the class. When outside of the academic zone "I know" is often used when one is aggravated and does not want to continue a conversation. Such as listening to somebody tell you about something they always tell you and just sitting there say I know, I know, I know. Whether or not you actually know the material being presented to you, you do know the general topic of what is being said. In an academic sense of the phrase "I know" it can be true but may not be. It depends on the topic and the research that has been done within the area. one person may know general facts and others may know more in depth facts that makes the one, who said "I know," facts only partially true. When outside of the academic zone, the phrase "I know" more often just refers to the general information, that you are often told about, the reaction is to say "I know" not because you actually know the information but to save yourself from hearing about the same topic over and over again. In the academic area when you are wrong about saying "I know" you often do not have enough information about the topic, and rather just the general summary of it. Outside of the academic zone those who say "I know" often do not know what is being said or done, but do not care about it or all ready understand what is going on.
Sentences that begin "I know that..." are unquestionable in the minds of the speaker and are believed to be based in fact or unwavering opinion. When someone says they know, they can never be wrong. They aways know. To know something does not have to be as all-inclusive as one might originally think. The definition of knowing is to "be aware of through observation, inquiry, or information" or to "be familiar or acquainted with (something)." Do either of those definitions contend that knowledge must be based in truth? No. They don't. They don't because knowing does not have to be based on or include truth. When someone says that they know something and is indeed a false statement, that person's original statement of having known the claim is not void or changed. This person did know this statement.This person was aware of it, either through observation, inquiry, or information, albeit the product was untrue. They were familiar and aquainted with their assertion, leading them to share it with others, and in the process, claim that they knew it.
The phrase changes its meaning in context according to how it is used. For example people like to say 'I know right' as a form of agreeing with the people involved in the conversation. Additionally the phrase "I know" is used to show a common understanding among people in a conversation. "I know" is also used by people to demonstrate their knowledge on a given subject. In classes students like to use "I know" to prove to the teacher that they have mastered a given topic. Further more, "I know" can be used by people to show their awareness on something. According to my understanding, it is not always true because people tend to have a different understandings on how they view things. Saying "I know" implies many meanings because knowledge comes with many things. Sometimes I am wrong because when I say that I know something, it turns out to be that I know only a small fragment of it. Two years ago I said that I knew Maths but I was wrong because at that time I only knew a tiny part of Maths. The phrase "I know" should be used more carefully because often we think that we know, but most of the times we don't know.
In my opinion sense perception is one of the key elements of "knowing"."Your hair looks really big today", says classmate Elizabeth. "I know"says Jane. I was able to come to that conclusion because when I looked in the mirror that morning, my hair took up almost all of the reflective space, and the wall behind me vanished from the frame. In that circumstance I "knew" because I saw. The meaning of the phrase " I know" is similar in every context. Knowing is almost always information we are sure of, or have collected through our lives. The idea of what is true always brings about some form of debate. There is the truth that comes from scientific evidence and research, but there is also the truth that comes with anything individuals believe to be true, or "know for a fact". I think that for at least as long as you believe something to be true, it is impossible to be wrong. Therefor what we know, is what we believe to be true.
When I say 'I know.' naturally, I take into account what I do not know. As a human being who still does not know whether there is a supernatural power or multiple ones or if I in fact even have independent thought, I always question whether I really 'know.' Separate from those, I throw around the phrase quite often. I use it when I agree with a person, when I've heard something previously, or if I'm restating facts or ideas/emotions/opinions. I also use the phrase when events occur as well as the causes and effects of the events whether it be in a book or a war. When I say 'I know' I really am only agreeing or disagreeing. Agreeing with a statement, fact, etc. or disagreeing. Relating to my earlier share, I do not know whether I really know or don't know because I am not sure whether or not there is a deity or deities and what is 'true' or just implanted, made-up, or controlled by it or them. Secularly, science is constantly developing, improving, alternating, and narrowing down to the 'truth' of matters; therefore, beliefs change as science continuously determines what was not real and what was. In literature and history, there are always different opinions and ideas because the people involved in each had their own ideas and thoughts which no one will know even if they wrote down their thoughts because people often conceal their true thoughts for various reasons; hence, debatable topics. And thus, what I believe is true in science may be wrong in the future through findings, my opinions may be wrong to another with a contrasting opinion, and everything I 'know' will be false because it doesn't exist.
I think that "I know" has different meanings in various kinds of situations. Sometimes I say "I know" when I mean that I have understood something in my mind, and I can express my understanding to others. For example, I say I know the chemical formula to solve this problem, and I can write it out to show that I know it. In other cases, "I know" can show my feeling and agreement with other people's ideas. When somebody asked "do you think this week is so long, and I can’t believe today is only Tuesday," I say "I know right" to express my feeling. However, the meaning of “I know” is not always true for me. Sometimes I say "I know," but actually I don't fully understand the things I "know". Although I may understand part or most of it, I don't get the full knowledge, and I seem like I get it, but actually I don’t. On the other hand, "I know" can have a time limit or can change due to some reasons. For instance, once I said I knew the author of "the Kite Runner", but now I forget, and I don’t know it anymore. As a result, the phrase “I know” can be changeable, and I know something now doesn’t mean that I will know it forever.
Hello! My post is too long to publish in one comment, so I'll be dividing it between two comments.
Example One Person 1: "This ball is blue." Person 2: "I know."
Example Two Person 1: "We have TOK homework tonight." Person 2: "I know."
Example Three Person 1: "The answer to this math problem is 15." Person 2: "I know"
Example Four Person 1: "You're really annoying." Person 2: "I know."
In our first TOK class, we learned about some of the most common forms of learning. The first of which involves learning through sense perception. Person 2 knows that the ball is blue by using his/her sight. However, sense perception may not always be reliable. Objects may be different than they appear in reality. For example, Person 1 and Person 2 may see the ball as blue, but Person 3 might see it as a light shade of purple or perhaps a similar shade of green. Perception of color differs from person to person. There is also an example of a gene called the "tasting gene". I once conducted an experiment where a type of bitter paper was passed around the classroom. Those who could taste the bitterness were tasters while those who couldn't taste the bitterness were non-tasters. In this case, it is the taste that differs from person to person. Different factors cause people to perceive objects in different ways. That is why some people get colder in the winter than others. Therefore, claiming that a ball is blue may be true to Person 2, but not to others.
However, Person 2 isn't wrong when they claim the ball is blue, even if it isn't. There are no specific rules or guidelines one adheres to when they claim to know something. Although society likes to claim that there are (like telling a person they are wrong when they state the opposite of a proven fact), there actually aren’t because the words “to know” don’t actually have a definite meaning. When Person 2 claims that they know, they might be saying that they know they believe the ball is blue, because that’s what knowing really is; belief. There are no absolutes in the world, no definite facts. It is impossible to be 100 % sure of something. It is also incredibly ironic that I am stating this because not being 100 % sure of something is exactly what I am sure of.
In Example Two, the knowing stems from language. Person 2 knows (or believes) that he/she has TOK homework because the teacher has communicated it to the students verbally. Students can perceive the teacher’s words differently and, as a result, can end up doing the homework in different ways. One may end up focusing on a certain aspect of the homework while others focus on another. Each person’s work will be what the teacher requested, therefore being right (only if they were paying attention, of course), but they all “know” it in different ways.
In Example Three, Person 2 knows the answer of the math question through logic and reasoning. In this case, the answer may be factually incorrect, but Person 2 still believes is to be right. In the case of math, where there are usually one or two concrete answers, there isn’t much discrepancy between the answers. However, there may be differences with a person’s method of solving. One may solve it by factorizing. Another may solve it using simultaneous equations. They both know how to get the right answers but one person’s knowing is different from the others', even when they are solving the same problem and end up with the same answer.
Example 4 uses the term “I know” to express agreement or any other type of emotion. Person 2 knows that he/she is causing Person 1 annoyance. When someone expresses an emotion, another person can also match that emotion with the phrase “I know”. “She’s very mean.” “I know.” “She’s the nicest person I’ve ever met.” “I know.” In both these cases, Person 1 expresses an emotion and Person 2 shows that he/she also feels the same way by agreeing.
In my opinion, knowing is almost exactly the same as learning. Learning is the process while knowledge is the result. When people learn, they acquire knowledge that they believe to be true; they learn in order to know. That is why “knowing” links in closely to the ways a person can learn; through sense perception, language, reasoning and emotion.
Saying "I know." means that you have prior knowledge of something or you are aware of what someone is trying to explain to you. The phrase's meaning can change depending on what you are talking about or who you are talking to. Saying "I know." to Sally would be different than saying "I know." to a friend or family member. The meaning changes with the level of respect between the people talking. Saying "I know." isn't always true. Someone can say they know but you must first listen to understand the point. You can be wrong in saying "I know." because, there is always more to know.
ReplyDelete~What does it mean to say "I know"? Knowing information changes in every kind of context. When you know something it means you understand the components and are able to fully explain it to someone else. When I say "I know" it means I understand the information given or what has happened in the past. Someone can say "I know" and not actually "know" the information. They might be confused on the information they believe they "know." Sometimes I might use the term "I know" when I am just acknowledging another person. It can be used loosely sort of like "yeah" or "okay." When talking with someone else, you can use the term by acknowledging their statement, as well as when someone is saying something and they ask you if you understand them I would respond by saying, "I know what you mean." You don't always know when you say "I know" because you could being using the term to make someone stop talking or you just want to seem like you know what people are talking about. When I say "I know" and I either am conscious I'm wrong or later find out that I'm wrong, I'll find out through other people by listening to other comments or if someone corrects me. This phrase can be interchangeable with the "I understand" because when you understand information you "know" what you are learning, and if you "know" something I believe you fully understand what you "know."
ReplyDeleteThe phrase "I know" can change meanings with context. In an academic environment "I know" usually means that "I know" the answer to the question, or how to contribute to the class. When outside of the academic zone "I know" is often used when one is aggravated and does not want to continue a conversation. Such as listening to somebody tell you about something they always tell you and just sitting there say I know, I know, I know. Whether or not you actually know the material being presented to you, you do know the general topic of what is being said. In an academic sense of the phrase "I know" it can be true but may not be. It depends on the topic and the research that has been done within the area. one person may know general facts and others may know more in depth facts that makes the one, who said "I know," facts only partially true. When outside of the academic zone, the phrase "I know" more often just refers to the general information, that you are often told about, the reaction is to say "I know" not because you actually know the information but to save yourself from hearing about the same topic over and over again. In the academic area when you are wrong about saying "I know" you often do not have enough information about the topic, and rather just the general summary of it. Outside of the academic zone those who say "I know" often do not know what is being said or done, but do not care about it or all ready understand what is going on.
ReplyDeleteSentences that begin "I know that..." are unquestionable in the minds of the speaker and are believed to be based in fact or unwavering opinion. When someone says they know, they can never be wrong. They aways know. To know something does not have to be as all-inclusive as one might originally think. The definition of knowing is to "be aware of through observation, inquiry, or information" or to "be familiar or acquainted with (something)." Do either of those definitions contend that knowledge must be based in truth? No. They don't. They don't because knowing does not have to be based on or include truth. When someone says that they know something and is indeed a false statement, that person's original statement of having known the claim is not void or changed. This person did know this statement.This person was aware of it, either through observation, inquiry, or information, albeit the product was untrue. They were familiar and aquainted with their assertion, leading them to share it with others, and in the process, claim that they knew it.
ReplyDeleteThe phrase changes its meaning in context according to how it is used. For example people like to say 'I know right' as a form of agreeing with the people involved in the conversation. Additionally the phrase "I know" is used to show a common understanding among people in a conversation. "I know" is also used by people to demonstrate their knowledge on a given subject. In classes students like to use "I know" to prove to the teacher that they have mastered a given topic. Further more, "I know" can be used by people to show their awareness on something. According to my understanding, it is not always true because people tend to have a different understandings on how they view things. Saying "I know" implies many meanings because knowledge comes with many things. Sometimes I am wrong because when I say that I know something, it turns out to be that I know only a small fragment of it. Two years ago I said that I knew Maths but I was wrong because at that time I only knew a tiny part of Maths. The phrase "I know" should be used more carefully because often we think that we know, but most of the times we don't know.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion sense perception is one of the key elements of "knowing"."Your hair looks really big today", says classmate Elizabeth. "I know"says Jane. I was able to come to that conclusion because when I looked in the mirror that morning, my hair took up almost all of the reflective space, and the wall behind me vanished from the frame. In that circumstance I "knew" because I saw. The meaning of the phrase " I know" is similar in every context. Knowing is almost always information we are sure of, or have collected through our lives. The idea of what is true always brings about some form of debate. There is the truth that comes from scientific evidence and research, but there is also the truth that comes with anything individuals believe to be true, or "know for a fact". I think that for at least as long as you believe something to be true, it is impossible to be wrong. Therefor what we know, is what we believe to be true.
ReplyDeleteWhen I say 'I know.' naturally, I take into account what I do not know. As a human being who still does not know whether there is a supernatural power or multiple ones or if I in fact even have independent thought, I always question whether I really 'know.' Separate from those, I throw around the phrase quite often. I use it when I agree with a person, when I've heard something previously, or if I'm restating facts or ideas/emotions/opinions. I also use the phrase when events occur as well as the causes and effects of the events whether it be in a book or a war. When I say 'I know' I really am only agreeing or disagreeing. Agreeing with a statement, fact, etc. or disagreeing. Relating to my earlier share, I do not know whether I really know or don't know because I am not sure whether or not there is a deity or deities and what is 'true' or just implanted, made-up, or controlled by it or them. Secularly, science is constantly developing, improving, alternating, and narrowing down to the 'truth' of matters; therefore, beliefs change as science continuously determines what was not real and what was. In literature and history, there are always different opinions and ideas because the people involved in each had their own ideas and thoughts which no one will know even if they wrote down their thoughts because people often conceal their true thoughts for various reasons; hence, debatable topics. And thus, what I believe is true in science may be wrong in the future through findings, my opinions may be wrong to another with a contrasting opinion, and everything I 'know' will be false because it doesn't exist.
ReplyDeleteI think that "I know" has different meanings in various kinds of situations. Sometimes I say "I know" when I mean that I have understood something in my mind, and I can express my understanding to others. For example, I say I know the chemical formula to solve this problem, and I can write it out to show that I know it. In other cases, "I know" can show my feeling and agreement with other people's ideas. When somebody asked "do you think this week is so long, and I can’t believe today is only Tuesday," I say "I know right" to express my feeling. However, the meaning of “I know” is not always true for me. Sometimes I say "I know," but actually I don't fully understand the things I "know". Although I may understand part or most of it, I don't get the full knowledge, and I seem like I get it, but actually I don’t. On the other hand, "I know" can have a time limit or can change due to some reasons. For instance, once I said I knew the author of "the Kite Runner", but now I forget, and I don’t know it anymore. As a result, the phrase “I know” can be changeable, and I know something now doesn’t mean that I will know it forever.
ReplyDeleteHello! My post is too long to publish in one comment, so I'll be dividing it between two comments.
ReplyDeleteExample One
Person 1: "This ball is blue."
Person 2: "I know."
Example Two
Person 1: "We have TOK homework tonight."
Person 2: "I know."
Example Three
Person 1: "The answer to this math problem is 15."
Person 2: "I know"
Example Four
Person 1: "You're really annoying."
Person 2: "I know."
In our first TOK class, we learned about some of the most common forms of learning. The first of which involves learning through sense perception. Person 2 knows that the ball is blue by using his/her sight. However, sense perception may not always be reliable. Objects may be different than they appear in reality. For example, Person 1 and Person 2 may see the ball as blue, but Person 3 might see it as a light shade of purple or perhaps a similar shade of green. Perception of color differs from person to person. There is also an example of a gene called the "tasting gene". I once conducted an experiment where a type of bitter paper was passed around the classroom. Those who could taste the bitterness were tasters while those who couldn't taste the bitterness were non-tasters. In this case, it is the taste that differs from person to person. Different factors cause people to perceive objects in different ways. That is why some people get colder in the winter than others. Therefore, claiming that a ball is blue may be true to Person 2, but not to others.
However, Person 2 isn't wrong when they claim the ball is blue, even if it isn't. There are no specific rules or guidelines one adheres to when they claim to know something. Although society likes to claim that there are (like telling a person they are wrong when they state the opposite of a proven fact), there actually aren’t because the words “to know” don’t actually have a definite meaning. When Person 2 claims that they know, they might be saying that they know they believe the ball is blue, because that’s what knowing really is; belief. There are no absolutes in the world, no definite facts. It is impossible to be 100 % sure of something. It is also incredibly ironic that I am stating this because not being 100 % sure of something is exactly what I am sure of.
In Example Two, the knowing stems from language. Person 2 knows (or believes) that he/she has TOK homework because the teacher has communicated it to the students verbally. Students can perceive the teacher’s words differently and, as a result, can end up doing the homework in different ways. One may end up focusing on a certain aspect of the homework while others focus on another. Each person’s work will be what the teacher requested, therefore being right (only if they were paying attention, of course), but they all “know” it in different ways.
In Example Three, Person 2 knows the answer of the math question through logic and reasoning. In this case, the answer may be factually incorrect, but Person 2 still believes is to be right. In the case of math, where there are usually one or two concrete answers, there isn’t much discrepancy between the answers. However, there may be differences with a person’s method of solving. One may solve it by factorizing. Another may solve it using simultaneous equations. They both know how to get the right answers but one person’s knowing is different from the others', even when they are solving the same problem and end up with the same answer.
ReplyDeleteExample 4 uses the term “I know” to express agreement or any other type of emotion. Person 2 knows that he/she is causing Person 1 annoyance. When someone expresses an emotion, another person can also match that emotion with the phrase “I know”. “She’s very mean.” “I know.” “She’s the nicest person I’ve ever met.” “I know.” In both these cases, Person 1 expresses an emotion and Person 2 shows that he/she also feels the same way by agreeing.
In my opinion, knowing is almost exactly the same as learning. Learning is the process while knowledge is the result. When people learn, they acquire knowledge that they believe to be true; they learn in order to know. That is why “knowing” links in closely to the ways a person can learn; through sense perception, language, reasoning and emotion.