The process and methodology of
generating knowledge
Knowledge is the information that is gained
through theoretical or practical
understandings of a subject. Knowledge is
justified and supported by strong evidence.
NETWORK
Interaction, interconnectedness and
how the WOKs work together in an
AOK in order to generate knowledge
USES
Areas of Knowledge
MATHS
An AOK that uses clear, logical processes to come to a
justified conclusion. These processes have been
created through the use of axioms and postulates.
HISTORY
The study of past events. NOT past events itself.
THE ARTS
The application of creativity and imagination into producing meaningful works.
Typically visual arts (painting, sculptures) but also dance, music, literature.
Ways of Knowing
Choose 2 WOKs and explore within 2 AOKs
REASON
The use of logic and processes to come to a
judgement supported by justifications.
LANGUAGE
Language is the tool of communication used by
humans. It allows communication through various
media such as verbal or written or visual language and has
many forms of languages that are unique to a culture.
Adrija
MAIN IDEA OF QUESTION
During the process of generating
knowledge, the AOKs use variety of
WOKs that interconnect and interact
with each other in order to create
knowledge claims.
How do the WOKs interact
with each other and how does
it impact upon the KCs made?
KNOWLEDGE
CLAIMS &
COUNTER
CLAIMS
Knowledge Claim 1
Without language, reason cannot be expressed as language is a universal way of knowing that surrounds all
the others, therefore knowledge cannot be generated. The interaction between language and reason is very
important to both areas of knowledge, though to different extents. there is a deeper and essential interaction
between the two ways of knowing in maths rather than the arts.
In math, reason is a fundamental part of the AOK as it is based upon the logical
processes that reason incorporates. However, in order to express and fully
generate knowledge, the reason must be explained using language. Without
the use of language, there would be no expression, therefore generation of
knowledge in maths depends greatly on the interaction of language and reason.
In order to fully convey the logical processes, language must be used. Therefore, there are many examples
used to describe this process. For example, when using calculus to differentiate the values and the
equations given, there needs to be an element of language in order for the individual to understand the
concepts. In maths class in school, proper language and not just symbols was required in order for the
students to fully grasp the concept of calculus. Otherwise, there were symbols that were not understood,
making the topic very difficult. Therefore, while there is a specific language for maths that can be used, not
all people understand this language and proper words are often required for explanations.
Another good example of how language is important is when people explain how 1 = 0.9999999999
recurring infinitively. Many people do not understand nor believe how this is possible, which
necessitates words to explain the reason behind this claim. The interaction between language and
reason allows for the debate about how "the left side represents the beginning of mathematics; the
right side represents the mysteries of infinity." (Steven Strogatz of Cornell University).
Example: When using calculus to differentiate the values and the
equations given, there needs to be an element of language in order for the
individual to understand the concepts. In maths class in school, proper
language and not just symbols was required in order for the students to
fully grasp the concept of calculus. Otherwise, there were symbols that
were not understood, making the topic very difficult.
In the arts, there is less of a interaction between reason
and language as a majority of individuals believe that
there is no relationship between the arts and reason. The
arts are an area of knowledge that does not include nor
incorporate the use of reason in its creation nor in the
creation of knowledge claims about the artwork.
This is because there is more elements of
personal knowledge that influences the way
that artwork can be interpreted and
influences the claims that are made.
Consequently, this causes the claims about
the artwork, about its message or its
meaning to an individual, to differ slightly
depending on the person developing and
exploring the claim.
Counter Claim 1
In the arts, there is reason used and needing the
interaction of language to communicate itself. Even
though many people think that there is no reason in the
arts, creating knowledge claims about artwork requires
logical processes and the ability to communicate when
presenting ideas in order for the claims to be fully
justified and believed by other people.
Without language, claims and reason in the arts would
not be able to be communicated and therefore, there is a
limitation of the reliability and believability of the claim.
The language of maths is also important to the interaction between language and reason.
This allows for mathematicians to fully communicate their ideas in a standard method without
leaving any room for misunderstandings or miscommunications. The language is
understandable globally for people who are knowledgeable in the areas of knowledge, which
makes it easier to communicate. While it is true that many people cannot understand this
language, mathematicians, scientists and individuals who are experienced in the field of
mathematics can understand the language. This is most important as they are the ones who are
creating and exploring knowledge claims.
Knowledge Claim 3
The language that is used to convey the WOK, reason, is different for different groups of individuals. The
meanings of the reason can vary due to connotations and more specifically, the meanings of the language
used to the individual. Therefore, it changes how reason is communicated and also the claims that are
made and accepted.
In the arts, there is are claims relating to the design of the artwork, including about
the use and important of color as an element of the main theme or message. These
claims can change depending on the perception and language of the individual.
Their knowledge relating to color can change depending on their language as some
languages refer to colors in different ways than others.
For example, in some cultures and languages, there are different categories and perceptions on color. In English and some
other languages such as Polish, there are two separate categories for blue and green. However, in the Himba tribe in Namibia,
Africa, the language used has only one word, "zoozu" for all dark colors such as dark blue, dark green, dark red, etc. There is
also only one word that encompasses all red shades of colors, "serandu". In many countries where the language includes
many different shades and hues of one general color, such as red, there is a clearer perception of hues rather than when the
language does not have words for different hues. These languages make it harder for there to be very precise claims made
about the use of color, but instead has a more general view on this topic. Hence, there cannot be complete translation and
communication between two different languages with deferent perspectives on color.
This then impacts upon reason as a way of knowing as there cannot be full and complete
understanding of the reason used because of the differences in language. Translation is not
impossible, but there are elements of the reason used and the claims made that can be lost
due to the imprecise translation of the original language.
This impacts upon the claims that are made because the interaction between them refers to the way in which reason
and language can be affected by the other way of knowing. There may be dissension if a claim references the use of
color in an artwork, but also uses terminology that may not exist in other languages. Due to this interaction, claims
made can be different or not accepted as true because this interaction was not fully reliable and understandable.
http://www.apa.org/monitor/feb05/hues.aspx
Example: In the Himba tribe in Namibia, Africa, the language used has only one
word, "zoozu" for all dark colors such as dark blue, dark green, dark red, etc. There
is also only one word that encompasses all red shades of colors, "serandu".
Counter Claim 3
In maths, there is a specific language that is used and understood. This language uses symbols and letters that are
subject-specific in the context of maths and are universally used. This prevents misunderstandings or unclear reason when
communicating ideas. By using this particular language, people globally can understand the ideas presented and the
logical steps shown can be understood without miscommunication.
Counter Counter Claim 3
However, there is the problem that some maths processes need to
explained in prose or in a language using non-symbolic forms. When
this occurs, there is still the chance of miscommunication or
connotations may result in different meanings found in the presented
ideas. This is important to note as these incorrect misperceptions can
cause there to be wrong data and ideas to be presented to a global
audience.
Knowledge Claim 2
Counter Claim 2
The relationship between reason and language differs
in both areas of knowledge which impacts upon the
extent of the impact on the knowledge claims.
Works in the Arts can be used to create knowledge claims about the artwork, the artist or the time period
during which it was created or about. This changes the way people perceive the claim. The language used
can have different ideas about the artwork being brought up. Therefore, when one individual brings their
own interpretation, others may have different interpretations or disagree with the individual. However,
there is more accuracy in claims made in maths because of the straightforward methods used.
The arts are more open to interpretation than maths. This causes there to be many
possible conclusions, however they need reason to make their claim sound and
believable. In order for this to happen, correct language needs to be used that can
properly depict the claim and explain it in a way that is clearly understandable.
The language that is used as a source for prompting reason to come to knowledge
claims impact upon how the reason is understood, therefore impacts on the
knowledge claim. This impact can occur because the language used can mean
different things to the person who uses it as a source of evidence.
For example, the poem, "Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening" by Robert Frost
has many interpretations because of the language used. This language prompts
logical thinking which leads to a claim being created. One claim made about this
poem is that the central theme is about a man appreciating and loving nature,
whereas an alternative interpretation is that is is about death and suicide. This
interpretation depends on the connotations of the language for the individual and
personal knowledge as well.
The line "miles to go before I sleep" refers to Frost having
burdens upon him, whereas another interpretation is that
there was a long life and career left for Frost.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are different levels of impact on both the arts and maths due to the
interaction between language and reason. This interaction can impact upon knowledge
claims in different ways such as their reliability, their acceptance and their justifications.
There are many other ways of knowing that also interact within these two areas of
knowledge and others. These interactions can have impacts upon the views of the world
and the claims that are made about it. Therefore, the global community should be aware
as there could be miscommunications and debates about a claim that was created.
Knowledge Question
To what extent does the generation of knowledge rely on the interaction between language and reason in the arts and math?
How methodology of gaining knowledge
relies on both WOKs working together
Rely : the dependence
on something.
The generation of
knowledge depends
on the interaction
between the WOKs
To what extent does the use of language and reason influence the knowledge gained in history and math?
How using WOKs impact on knowledge gained
To what extent does the interaction of the reason and language impact upon the creation of knowledge claims in math and history?
How both WOKs working together impacts on how the KCs are made
To what extent does the interaction of language and reason differ when generating knowledge claims in history and math?
Compare the interaction of WOKs when creating KCs
To what extent can the way that language and reason are used when creating knowledge claims differ in math and history?
Compare the methods of using WOKs in each AOK
To what extent does the interaction of language and reason impact upon the knowledge claims made in the arts and math?
How both WOKs working together impact upon what KCs are made
Ideas
Language is used to communicate reason and express
the ideas that come from the process of reason
Language prompts reason through
connotations and nuances
Language without
connotations can have
few logical steps
coming from it as they
have fewer possible
options for possible
meanings of
consequent processes.
Language with more than one
connotation has a variety of
steps that can be consequently
followed in a logical manner to
come to knowledge claims
being made.
Language changes the way reason can be interpreted in knowledge claims due to
connotations (as mentioned) and due to the language used by each person. It is also
affected by a person's understanding of the subject and language.
The language that a person uses is different from others and unique to their culture
and country. This can change the meaning of knowledge claims as there are words in
certain languages that do not exist in others.
KQ: To what extent does the interaction of
language and reason impact upon the
knowledge claims made in the arts and math?
Many people think that the
arts do not include reason
and maths does not have
imagination in order to
produce an end result.