Social Construction Of Knowledge

As time passes, there is a tendency to discard what we accept as knowledge in certain

areas to reach a new understanding based on newfound experiences or information. However,

it is true that in other areas what we consider as accepted knowledge remains identical or

very similar to what we initially think, withstanding the altering effects of experiences and

information. This development of accepted knowledge through time applies to both the

individual and humanity. Personally, I have encountered moments where I discarded my

accepted knowledge – such as when I disregarded my childhood notions of the existence of

Santa Claus, or when I learned that it is in fact better to switch doors in the Monty Hall problem,

which I was exposed to …show more content…
He who controls the present

controls the past.”

A knowledge issue that arises from the natural sciences is: to what extent is knowledge

from the natural sciences provisional? Merriam-Webster defines natural science as “a science

that studies the physical and natural world or the events that happen in nature”. Using reason,

we can claim that knowledge from the natural sciences is provisional and we should modify

scientific claims as new technology is introduced and as the natural world is altered. Consider the

model of the atom. For a long period of time, humankind was unaware of the concept of the atom

itself, let alone its components. With new technologies and ideas, scientists over centuries have

elaborated on the model of the atom, including the discoveries of electrons, protons, neutrons,

electron shells, and orbits. It is apparent that in this case, the prior models of the atom were

discarded in order to make way for a new accepted understanding of science.

Personally, I have experienced situations in my science classes where I have done

an experiment both with and without new technology. For example, in my Physics class,