I understand this question to suggest that knowledge is produced mainly to solve problems, there are other reasons why it is produced. Knowledge, for this question, is a rational belief that is assimilated through education, experience or investigation, which then can be shared through language. To solve a problem, I understand it to be processing through a problem’s details to come up with a logical solution. My thesis agrees that although the title suggests the main reason knowledge is produced is to solve problems, this essay will rather argue that this depends on each area of knowledge. In the natural sciences, problem solving is evident in the production of the H1N1 vaccine. Yet in the discovery of penicillin, Alexander Fleming had not
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In the natural sciences, most of the problems can be addressed using the scientific method, which relies heavily on sense perception. First a hypothesis is constructed and then experimentation takes place afterwards. Using reason, one can logically decide if there is a justifiable outcome, then this is counted as knowledge. Here we see more of the “mining approach” to solving problems. In 2009, the H1N1 virus was feared to be widespread so vaccine trials were quickly implemented. Scientists were able to come up with vaccine, thus solving the problem of potential extensive infection. Yet in the sciences, another reason knowledge is produced may be an accident, not to actively solve a problem. Alexander Fleming did not expect to come back to the petri dish he left out for 2 weeks, and discover the mold, which would revolutionize healthcare. This proves that knowledge can be used in other regards, apart from problem solving. For example, the German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen stumbled on X-rays while experimenting in his lab in 1895. This knowledge can be then utilized rather for the sake of it, than to solve problems. So in that frame of thinking, experts generating new or previously unknown content such as a scientist, writer, painter, historian, is contributing to the shared knowledge through active experimentation, for the reason of knowledge …show more content…
The arts, for this discussion, will be defined as an area of knowledge where persons can convey or communicate emotion. Painting is used as a form of treatment for the mentally ill. When patients were asked to recreate famous works’ styles, they found a creative outlet to express their repressed stress, depression and emotions. Here, we see a use of imagination, the growth model of knowledge production, to solve a problem. In other disciplines of the arts, such as music, it can also be argued that knowledge is not used to solve problems. Rather it can be used just for enjoyment or discovery. They refer to 'feeling ' when creating or playing a piece of work. Louis Armstrong, when asked about what jazz replied, " "Man, if you gotta ask you 'll never know"." – Armstrong’s quote shows a deeper connection with intuition. Another example is when I had a discussion with an artist who came to visit my primary school. When I asked, they said that they some how just knew how to blend the paint and where to put the paintbrush. This understanding of knowledge production demonstrates again that knowledge production is not just for solving problems. This connection of mastering knowledge and intuition blurs the strength of the argument that knowledge is just used for problem
In the natural sciences, most of the problems can be addressed using the scientific method, which relies heavily on sense perception. First a hypothesis is constructed and then experimentation takes place afterwards. Using reason, one can logically decide if there is a justifiable outcome, then this is counted as knowledge. Here we see more of the “mining approach” to solving problems. In 2009, the H1N1 virus was feared to be widespread so vaccine trials were quickly implemented. Scientists were able to come up with vaccine, thus solving the problem of potential extensive infection. Yet in the sciences, another reason knowledge is produced may be an accident, not to actively solve a problem. Alexander Fleming did not expect to come back to the petri dish he left out for 2 weeks, and discover the mold, which would revolutionize healthcare. This proves that knowledge can be used in other regards, apart from problem solving. For example, the German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen stumbled on X-rays while experimenting in his lab in 1895. This knowledge can be then utilized rather for the sake of it, than to solve problems. So in that frame of thinking, experts generating new or previously unknown content such as a scientist, writer, painter, historian, is contributing to the shared knowledge through active experimentation, for the reason of knowledge …show more content…
The arts, for this discussion, will be defined as an area of knowledge where persons can convey or communicate emotion. Painting is used as a form of treatment for the mentally ill. When patients were asked to recreate famous works’ styles, they found a creative outlet to express their repressed stress, depression and emotions. Here, we see a use of imagination, the growth model of knowledge production, to solve a problem. In other disciplines of the arts, such as music, it can also be argued that knowledge is not used to solve problems. Rather it can be used just for enjoyment or discovery. They refer to 'feeling ' when creating or playing a piece of work. Louis Armstrong, when asked about what jazz replied, " "Man, if you gotta ask you 'll never know"." – Armstrong’s quote shows a deeper connection with intuition. Another example is when I had a discussion with an artist who came to visit my primary school. When I asked, they said that they some how just knew how to blend the paint and where to put the paintbrush. This understanding of knowledge production demonstrates again that knowledge production is not just for solving problems. This connection of mastering knowledge and intuition blurs the strength of the argument that knowledge is just used for problem