Types of Knowledge - Essay Example

Nisma Khan Murphy PHIL 190 001 February 10, Types of knowledge Philosophers divide knowledge in various categories depending on how such knowledge manifests itself or the acquisition of such knowledge. The three primary categories of knowledge include knowing-that, knowing-how, and knowing-you, all of which are described in language. While all the three categories matter in all senses, philosophers focus on propositional knowledge than the other two. Nonetheless, the understanding of how the three categories of knowledge are interlinked is a fundamental aspect of psychology. By looking at how the three types of knowledge are interlinked, psychologists can establish the theories of knowledge that analyze the topic explicitly and implicitly. This paper explores the types of knowledge and the connection between the different types of knowledge. Natural/physical sciences (physics, biology, palaeontology, etc) Social/human sciences (economics, psychology, anthropology, sociology, etc). Humanities (historiography, philosophy, literary criticism) Arts (music, dance, etc) Religious knowledge Moral knowledge When one talks about ‘know-that’ knowledge, he/she implies the knowledge of acquaintance to some phenomenon. This kind of knowledge uses the language ‘I know that’ in asserting a personal experience with somebody or something. For a person to know a thing or another person, they must have had a personal interaction that results in close understanding of the person or object. For example, ‘I know the location of White House’ is a personal knowledge that has manifested through experience and acquaintance. ‘Know-how’ knowledge focuses on how to accomplish certain missions or perform certain jobs. Procedural knowledge comes through consistent practice and determination to know how to do certain things in life. For example, ‘I know how to cook’ is a knowledge that involves a skill that a person can acquire though learning and practice. ‘Know-how’ is usually universal in the sense that a person can apply the knowledge in any part of the world provided all the factors remain constant. More often than not, people use procedural knowledge to perform their daily tasks. The third type of knowledge is the ‘Know-you’ and philosophers have a special interest in this kind of knowledge. Fundamentally, this kind of knowledge deals with the ‘interpersonal aspect of people and unlike the ‘know-that’, ‘Know-you’ deals with facts and evidence. When a person claims that he/she is well versed with a particular theory, person, or thing and they provide facts to justify in-depth knowledge, then such persons have gained ‘Know-you’ knowledge about the subject matter. Epistemology focuses on propositional knowledge more than it does on ‘know-that’ and ‘know-how.’ It is so because ‘Know-you’ knowledge brings out the candidness of people about certain phenomena, especially when people have to justify the accuracy or otherwise of certain cases. Although epistemology takes a keen interest on ‘Know-you’ knowledge more than it does on ‘know-that’ or ‘know-how’ knowledge, it is imperative to note that the three types of knowledge have a strong connection to one another. Nonetheless, it is worth noting that ‘know-that,’ ‘know-how,’ and ‘know-you’ knowledge are three distinct types of knowledge mainly because of their manifestations. One can gain ‘know-that’ knowledge from a book or documentary, but the same person will have to practice in order to acquire ‘know-how’ knowledge. The third type of knowledge, which is ‘know-you’ knowledge, is quite different from ‘know-that’ and procedural ‘know-how’ in the sense that it is neither skill-knowledge nor book-knowledge. In essence, people acquire ‘know-you’ knowledge through personal engagement. Despite the noticeable differences between the three types of knowledge, it is worth noting that they have more aspects than unite them than the ones that divide them. To begin with, all the knowledge types are applicable in everyday life, implying that they play a significant role in human life and existence. While some demonstrate, others claim, and some prove why things are the way they are. Overall, they form part of important knowledge types that scholars can refer to in their studies. Since most psychologists are concerned with ‘know-you’ knowledge, they sometimes use both ‘know-that’ knowledge and ‘know-how’ knowledge to arrive at ‘know-you’ knowledge. Both ‘know-that’ and ‘know-how’ knowledge form fundamental backgrounds for the establishment of ‘know-you’ knowledge. Some occasions require two different types of knowledge to be focused on the same object or objects of the same type, especially if the knower has perceived a way of uniting the two types of knowledge. For example, the knower can unite ‘know-that’ and ‘know-how’ knowledge if the person wants to merge both experience and practice on an object. Some experiences require real-time practice by the knower in order to enjoy the full benefits of the knowledge. In essence, a person can apply both ‘know-that’ and ‘know-how’ knowledge in solving a single problem. It implies that a person can direct his experience and practical skills towards accomplishing one mission or project. One type of knowledge may have a wide range of different objects. In this case, the methods of executing or manifesting the knowledge unite. In addition, different knowledge types can unite when all forms of knowledge have a knower behind them. The human knower is the common basis for all kinds of knowledge. For all knowledge types, the common denominator is a human who uses his intuitive, cognitive, innate skills to apply the knowledge that he/she has amassed over time. Whether it is personal, procedural, or propositional knowledge, humans are the host of appliers of such knowledge although they may derive such knowledge from different sources. In his Commentary on Aristotle’s Ethics, Thomas Aquinas mentions four varieties of ‘scientia’ (science). He approaches at the word ‘science’ from a broad sense in order to offer a comprehensive description of science. He states that science deals with a number of relationships and objects that have no connection with the thoughts of human beings. Procedural and propositional knowledge can best explain the implication of science in this sense. Such kinds of science include philosophy and natural sciences. There are also groups of sciences that people can bring into their deliberating, actions, and choosing. Propositional knowledge manifests in sciences that people can invoke into their thoughts such as epistemology. Epistemologists identify with three primary types of knowledge namely ‘know-that’ knowledge, ‘know-how’ knowledge, and ‘know-you’ knowledge. Know-that knowledge is also known as theoretical knowledge because it deals with the science of providing facts in order to prove that a person knows a particular scenario or phenomenon. The first type of knowing is increased by moral detachment. For the second one, in order to learn how to do something, it has to mean something to you and in this case, the learner is called the apprentice. The third one has moral aspects to it such as respecting someone or respecting yourself, therefore, there has to be an emotional involvement with "know-you." Knowledge is something we create by using active cognitive activity. All knowledge has a basis of some theory. Knowledge is thought of as a personal strength. Hobbes said "thinking is like computation." This is incorrect because theres a basic common sense and without this basic common sense, science couldnt be possible. What we sense actually exists. For example, we "see" a ball falling to the floor when we drop it, and from that, we are able to derive the theory of gravity. We could not "create" the theory of gravity without sensing the ball falling or in other words without "knowing" the ball falling to the floor. We would not be able to get through our day and our lives without believing what we see or believing our senses. Read More