Sources of knowledge

Different Source for acquiring knowledge... Philosophical Perspective

1. SOURCES OF KNOWLWDGE Dr. SHAFAYAT ALI MALIK Assistant Professor/ HOD Department of Mass Communication Govt. College of Science, Wahdat Road, Lahore

2. Sources of Knowledge Many ways to gain knowledge Some are better than others Reliability and accuracy ways of acquiring knowledge Science as a means of gaining knowledge Philosopher/Scholars as mean of knowledge Spiritual leaders as a source of knowledge Islam as a Source of Knowledge

3. Meaning of Source & Knowledge Source is a place, person, or thing from which something originates or can be obtained. Concept of Knowledge Knowledge includes the fact or condition of knowing which is gained through experience or association. Any new information acquired by an organism through formal, informal or non formal way of inquiry can be termed as knowledge.

4. Definitions of Knowledge Plato has examined 3 definitions of knowledge which are: Knowledge is perception or sensation Knowledge is true belief Knowledge is true belief accompanied by a rational ground Plato finally called knowledge as ‘Justified truth ’ Dewey denotes knowledge as ‘inference from truth’ (A conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning)

5. Definitions of Knowledge According to the most widely accepted definitions “knowledge is justified true belief” It is a kind of belief is supported by the fact that both knowledge and belief can have the same objects and that what is true of someone who believes something to be the case is also true, among other things, of one who knows it. For example, sun rises in the east is the knowledge or true belief that is supported by the fact which is arrived at through daily observations for millions of years by people.

6. Types of Acquiring of knowledge Unscientific sources of knowledge Scientific sources of knowledge Divine Books Ahdees / Seerat

7. Unscientific sources of knowledge 1. Superstition and Intuition Gaining knowledge via superstition means “Acquiring knowledge that is based on subjective feelings , or believing in magical events. For example , you may have heard someone say “Bad things happen in threes.” Where does this idea come from? has ever documented that bad events occur in threes?

8. Superstition and Intuition (cont.) Some people believe that breaking a mirror brings 7 years of bad luck or that the number 13 is unlucky. Once again, these are examples of superstitious beliefs that are not based on observation or hypothesis testing . knowledge via intuition Knowledge gained without being consciously aware of its source .

9. 2.knowledge via intuition When we gain knowledge via intuition, it means that we have knowledge of something without being consciously aware of where the knowledge came from . You have probably heard people say things like “ I don’t know, it’s just a gut feeling” or “I don’t know, it just came to me , and I know it’s true. ” These statements represent examples of intuition. Sometimes we intuit something based not on a “gut feeling” but on events we have observed. The problem is that the events may be misinterpreted and not representative of all events in that category.

10. 3.Authority knowledge via authority means Knowledge gained from those viewed as authority figures. When we accept what a respected or famous person tells us. Parents as authority figures Teachers as authority figures For example , in some time periods and cultures, the church and its leaders were responsible for providing much of the knowledge that individuals gained throughout their lives.

11. 4.Tenacity Gaining knowledge via tenacity involves hearing a piece of information so often that you begin to believe it is true, and then, despite evidence to the contrary , you cling stubbornly to the belief . Method is often used in political campaigns, where a particular slogan is repeated so often that we begin to believe it. Advertisers also use the method of tenacity by repeating their slogan for a certain product over and over until people begin to associate the slogan with the product and believe that the product meets its claims. Tenacity is something, which psychologically force the people to accept it.

12. 5.Rationalism Knowledge gained through logical reasoning . With this approach , ideas are precisely stated and logical rules are applied to arrive at a logically sound conclusion. Rational ideas are often presented in the form of a syllogism . For example: All humans are mortal; I am a human; Therefore, I am mortal . For example: Attractive people are good; Hafiz Irshad is attractive; Therefore, Hafiz Irshad is good.

13. 6.Empiricism Knowledge via empiricism involves gaining knowledge through objective observation and the experiences of your senses . An individual who says “ I believe nothing until I see it with my own eyes” is an empiricist . The empiricist gains knowledge by seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, and touching.

14. 7.Tradition Much social related knowledge are preserved and transmitted through traditions. Much information which is largely depends on traditions Certain beliefs are accepted as truths Certain practices are accepted, simply based on custom . Knowledge passed down through generations

15. 8.Trial and Error Trial and Error is one of the ways of acquiring new knowledge Individual learn more things through trial and error process Knowledge related to practical, professional. Skilled and semi skilled professions are largely depends on the source of knowledge. For example: use of computer, Smart phone, driving, Cricket, Teaching etc.

16. Sources of Knowledge IN REVIEW SOURCE DESCRIPTION ADVANTAGES/ DISADVANTAGES Superstition Gaining knowledge through subjective feelings, Not empirical or logical interpreting random events as nonrandom events or believing in magical events Not empirical or logical Intuition Gaining knowledge without being consciously Not empirical or logical aware of where the knowledge came from Not empirical or logical Authority Gaining knowledge from those viewed as authority figures Not empirical or logical; authority figure may not be an expert in the area Tenacity Gaining knowledge by clinging stubbornly to repeated ideas, despite evidence to the contrary Not empirical or logical Rationalism Gaining knowledge through logical reasoning Logical but not empirical Empiricism Gaining knowledge through observations of organisms and events in the real world Empirical but not necessarily systematic

17. Scientific sources of knowledge Scientific knowledge is based on empirical evidence and is appropriate for understanding the natural world. It provides only a limited understanding of the supernatural , aesthetic, or other ways of knowing, such as art, philosophy, or religion. Scientific knowledge is durable and robust but open to change. Because science is based on empirical evidence scientists strive for objectivity .

18. Characteristics of Scientific Knowledge 1. Objectivity 2 . Verifiability / Measureable 3 . Ethical Neutrality 4 . Empirically proved/Observable 5. Reliability 6. Accuracy/Trustworthiness 7. Abstractness 8. Predictability 9.Universal Application 10. Experimental

19. Characteristics of Scientific Knowledge (cont.) Objectivity: Scientific knowledge is objective. Objectivity simple means the ability to see and accept facts as they are, not as one might wish them to be. Verifiability: Scientific knowledge is based on verifiable evidence (concrete factual observations) so that other observers can observe, weigh or measure the same phenomena and check out observation for accuracy . Ethical Neutrality: Science is ethically neutral.

20. Divine Books The source of this Divine Knowledge is God The Taurat / Musa (A.S) The Zabur // Dawud ( A.S ) The Injeel / Esa ( A.S ) The Qur'an of Muhammad (S.A.W)

21. QURAN AS SOURCE OF KNOWLEDGE

22. Will discuss in next lecture In shaa Alla ……. Thank you