Abdulla Al-Emadi (Essay Sample)

Abdulla Al-Emadi
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Epistemology
Epistemology is the study of knowledge. Its main argument revolves around how to differentiate real knowledge from the false knowledge. Epistemology has given rise to so many theories, most trying to explore the relationship between it and the scientific methodology. Today, this questions gives rise to various theories which bring issues to the scientific methodology because of the new concept of cognition; artificial intelligence. This has been developed through the approach of information processing where computer programs compete with the human mind’s capacity of learning and using knowledge. In the early theories, knowledge was known as a straight and simple permanent character but following contradiction the later theories emphasized on the continuous development and dependence on situations.
There are many theories that exist about what knowledge is and how it is acquired. These theories are always in conflict due to their belief, justification and the real facts about knowledge. The Greek philosopher Plato was of the opinion that knowledge is absolute. Aristotle on his part chose a different path and analyzed knowledge on the basis of how it is acquired. According to him, there are two ways through which knowledge is acquired. They are empiricism and rationalism. Empiricism refers to knowledge which is gained from sensory perception, and rationalism refers to knowledge gained from rational reflection.From their definitions, it is clear that the two approaches contradict yet they are based on individual’s experiences. The theory evaluates the sense of experience and examines the extent to which experience contributes in gaining knowledge. Rationalists argue that there is some knowledge that we get without experience. They back this up by the fact that there is some information we have that cannot be experienced or proved to be true yet it is. This means that the said information was acquired through other methods rather than experience. They also construct scenarios where reason gives additional information that cannot be experienced.
Priori and Posteriori are two terms that are used to distinguish between knowledge, justification and an argument. Priori knowledge is does not really on experience. This is a generally accepted truth that does not require any science to prove (Sommers and Tamler, 2003). For example, ‘all bachelors are unmarried.’ This is a fact and a statement which is told to an individual when young and he does not need to experience it to believe it. It is just evident because it is the natural way that things are. It can not be changed. Priori knowledge is gained through teaching and is usually understood rather than proven. The main distinction in priori and posteriori is that priori knowledge can be gained prior to having experience whereas posteriori depends on experience entirely (Casullo, 2003)
There has been ranging debate on whether priori knowledge is there during birth. Priori knowledge is innate. However, children have...