The Meaning of Knowledge from a Liberal Studies Perspective
10 Apr
Amanda Nelson, Fort Hays State University
Amanda Nelson is an Adjunct Instructor at Lorain County Community College in Elyria, Ohio. Specializing in online education, she received her B. A. in Liberal Studies from Fort Hays State University in Kansas (via distance learning) and continued at Fort Hays to complete her Master of Liberal Studies in English.
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Knowledge, to be called such, has to have two components: it has to be perceived as true (thus, it is true), and we have to be well-warranted in our belief that it is true. Knowledge, then, is justified true belief. Belief is described by Quine and Ullian in “The Web of Belief” as an assessment process of analysis by which we draw general conclusions. “It is this need to resolve conflicts that prompt us to assess the grounds of belief (Quine & Ullian 9).” The process can include, but is not limited to, observation, self-evidence, testimony, hypothesis, induction, analogy, intuition, confirmation and refutation, explanation, persuasion and evaluation. All these tools make up the conclusions we come to know as beliefs. In our search for knowledge, we are able to come closer and closer to the Truth, though some authorities, such as C.S. Pierce ascertain that though we can make progress toward Truth, we will never achieve it in its purest form, though “our beliefs guide our desires and shape our actions (Pierce 59).” Using critical thinking to compare various views will allow us to decide for ourselves what to believe through evidence and examples. Just as one main objective of [this course] has been to evaluate knowledge and its implications, so is the contention of this paper.
To find Truth, we have to know what we are searching for. What then, can be defined as “knowledge?” We’ve already supposed that knowledge is justified true belief. To further explore the definition, it is necessary to look at what knowledge does and what knowledge implies to paint a more accurate picture. The code of ethics for knowledge seekers says this: that managing the search for knowledge is “wisely and responsibly” applying a proiri knowledge (previously known knowledge) to new knowledge, and then drawing conclusions through critical thinking, or abductive reasoning. This process may involve several other factors, including data, information, understanding and wisdom. (more…)
