Hi Mario
I can't tell you how delighted I am that you have manifested an interest in
the area of knowledge.
On reflection I would like to add to my 'one cent bit' contribution I
already made by way of a rushed response to your post yesterday.
My reading on the subject of knowledge suggests that there are many
knowledges. This is a departure from an earlier view of one knowledge.
However if we put all these knowledges into one basket, all knowledge is
still propositional knowledge. There is no such thing as "true knowledge" as
you propose.
It also becomes necessary to distinguish between knowledge in the natural
world and 'knowledge' of the supernatural kind which cannot be tested. If I
may go further on this theme, your first example (representing the
aeroplane), would fit into the idea of scientific knowledge which is always
testable and always provisional. It could not be "true", pure or
unassailable knowledge as you are perhaps inclined to believe. There are
too many variables which can prevent a plane taking off and being sustained
in the air (ignoring pilot error) without it coming crashing down however
much the technology has improved to prevent this.
In your second example, (the person dropping from a tall building), here the
knowledge coming into play is experiential knowledge. It would be stupid to
jump off a tall building apart from performing a stunt or believing in a
miracle that one is invincible because of divine intevention. True, some
have survived falling from tall buildings but I agree with you that, it
would not be advisable to try jumping off from a great height.
In both your cases, informed thought on knowledge and its nature would not
accommodate your view that you had illustrations of "true knowledge" or that
such a thing exists, however aspirational you may be!
In the spirit of engendering social capital on Goanet, where we all
hopefully provide useful contributions, I would dearly hope that you will
continue your quest for the area of knowledge which has particularly
attracted you currently. I therefore offer you below, a small number of
references, all as latest re-prints, rather pricey, but available from
Amazon.com which you may find useful. I am afraid I find texts, which have
been published after much thought, effort and scrutiny, much more useful
than articles on the internet.
Barnett R. and Griffin A. (1997) The End of Knowledge in Higher Education.
London, Cassell Publications.
This is an excellent book. Ron Barnett then provided a chapter to one of
my books in 2000.
Gokulsing K. and DaCosta C. (1997) Usable Knowledges as the Goal of
University Education. Edwin Mellen Press. Lewiston, New York, and Queenston,
Canada.
This text has been used widely at Masters level in universities across the
world.
Note to Elizabeth Carvalho: Craig Kissock, University of Minneopolis has put
copies of this book in your local university library. A reference copy was
there when I was last there!
Lakatos I. & Musgrave A. (1970) Criticism and the Growth of Knowledge.
Cambridge University Press.
This is my all-time favourite with an excellent philosophical orientation.
Turner B. (1995) Theories of Modernity and Post-Modernity. London, Sage
Publications.
Most useful as a starter and good on 'Wall Street' and modern globalization.
With very best regards and every good wish.
Cornel
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