Science and Knowledge

This chapter is based on the notes 2022-05-03_SPSE_Knowledge.pdf

Intuitive Meaning of Science

Knowledge

  • Essence of (rational) understanding

  • Insights, findings

  • Certainty, sureness

  • not knowledge: assumptions, opinions, believe, feelings

  • but be careful, this is still knowledge:

    • knowledge about beliefs and religions

    • irrational knowledge: Knowledge not based on facts or without rational reason.

There are three types of knowledge, defined by their purpose:

  1. Educational knowledge forms the personality and extends the own understanding

    Example: Mathematics

  2. Performance knowledge is used to shape/design the world (also called “knowledge of emperors/leaders”)

    Example: How to govern, how to create policies

  3. Salvation knowledge legitimizes the existence of religion

    Example: Beliefs of a religion that are claimed to be certain (God exists).

[Brockhaus, Bd. 24]

Creation of Knowledge

Two types of creation of knowledge (also called ‘science’):

  • primary knowledge is created through

    • random observations

    • systematic exploration and investigation

    • deductive reasoning

  • secondary knowledge is created through

    • studying and analyzing primary knowledge

Knowledge is transferred through education:

  • through institutions (universities, colleges, academies)

  • continuously

  • mutual exchange between science and education

Points to consider:

  • is knowledge complete?

  • is knowledge free of contradictions?

  • pratical knowledge (“to know that”) vs. theoretical knowledge (“to know why”)

Note: According to Platon, knowledge is “true opinion for which reason is given”. This is not sufficient according to today’s science system.

Definition of Science

Coming back to “science”:

  • essence of human knowledge of a whole epoch

  • systematically collected, conserved, taught and passed on by word of mouth

  • all insights about an area of research -> justifications and reasonings (Begruendungszusammenhang)

  • process of documented exploration of an area of research

Examples for areas of research about: * nature * human mind * society * technology and engineering

  • currently, we are in the epoch of science (Wissenschaftszeitalter)

Categories of Science

Types of science:

  • theoretical science (foundations, methodologies)

  • practical-applied science or experience-based science

Means of discovering knowledge:

  • rational science

  • empirical science

Science as Compression of Knowledge

Diagram