Throughout its long path of existence and development, man has been prone to research, study, discovery. He did a lot to simplify his life, made a lot of efforts to reveal the meaning of his existence, any patterns and causes of natural phenomena.
The essence of the phenomenon
The concept of knowledge is interpreted quite broadly. In the most general sense, it is understood as a process or a whole set of such mechanisms that help us study the world, accumulate objective data about it, and also identify various kinds of patterns. It is difficult to overestimate the role of this phenomenon. Because it is thanks to him that people have achieved those technological, medical, technical and other successes that we can now observe. Social science tells us quite widely about this concept. Types of knowledge, forms, its tasks - we can learn all this at school. However, the science that is specifically devoted to the study of this aspect is called epistemology. And she's in the sectionphilosophy.
What is this?
The process of cognition is very complex, multifaceted. It is rather problematic to describe it, or to state it in simple forms. It follows that we must first understand the complex structure of this aspect of our lives, and then determine its purpose and significance for an entire civilization. In a broad sense, the concept of cognition rather weakly reflects the whole essence of the process. Therefore, it is necessary to clearly highlight its structure.
What is it like?
Earlier, when giving the definition, we said that cognition is a multifaceted mechanism. This is not one single process, but a whole system, closely interconnected with other important elements. In order not to delve too deeply into philosophical terminology and science, we will start from the course and recommendations that the subject gives us - social science. Types of cognition and forms of cognition are quite often used, implying the same meaning - a set of techniques and methods by which the process under study takes place. Let's talk in more detail about each of them.
Household
Many scientists do not distinguish this form of cognition into a separate category. However, it should be noted that the knowledge of life without the everyday, everyday level is almost impossible. This species does not require serious study. There is no need for close study, as well as the use of special tools. For example, to understand that fire has a high temperature, it is enough to get burned. You will not have any measuring instruments, but you will be able to say with accuracy:the flame is very hot.
Thus, the everyday process of cognition is extremely inaccurate. He gives only approximate answers to our questions. However, it is quickly accepted. This mechanism is clear and does not require a lot of time to develop. We encounter this form of cognition most often in our everyday life. As a rule, the older we are, the more knowledge we will accumulate through this species. But history knows many exceptions.
Scientific social cognition
It is also called the scientific method. This is the most accurate, but also time-consuming way of knowing. It does not require you to display artistic qualities, but only a love of accuracy and study. This method is used by all academic disciplines, including social science. Types of knowledge in general, one way or another, but rely on this type. After all, with its help you can decipher simpler knowledge, which will make them much more useful.
This form is also quite diverse. For example, there is scientific, social knowledge. It is aimed at the study of society, associations of people, social groups and much more. All scientific methods are divided into two types - theoretical scientific knowledge and empirical. The first one puts forward assumptions, checks it for compliance with real knowledge, builds models and entire systems. The practical method tests the reality of hypotheses through experimentation, observation, and also makes adjustments to hypothetical views.
Empirical knowledge can also reveal new phenomena, which will thenthe subject of close attention of theorists. Although this form of cognition has found the largest number of adherents, it cannot do without its constructive criticism, which, I must say, is quite appropriate. So, some scientists point out that new knowledge is anomaly. Science, having discovered any, in its opinion, unnatural phenomenon, begins to prove its existence in the present system of worldview. He is trying to identify its patterns, as well as why it does not fit into the framework of existing theories.
Often such anomalies completely contradict the established opinion. Think of Copernicus or other scientists trying to prove revolutionary hypotheses. They discovered such anomalies and tried to understand them, as a result of which the knowledge already accumulated seemed incorrect to them. So, earlier people did not believe that the Earth has a spherical shape, or that all the planets revolve around the Sun. History knows many similar examples - Einstein, Galileo, Magellan and others.
Artistic
Some may argue that this type includes social and humanitarian knowledge. But it's not. This form is the most striking. It is the simplest and at the same time the most complex. For example, a few thousand years ago, people just started to study writing, and before that they used only drawings to convey information. They described natural phenomena by transferring its visual image to a medium (a stone, for example). This greatly simplified the interaction between generations for the transfer of experience.
Bfurther people began to develop and invent languages to provide more accessible communication, information exchange. Symbols, pictures, images - all this looks quite simple only at the initial stage. Look at the artwork now. In order to understand the meaning that the authors want to convey to us, to learn something, it is necessary to make an effort, to understand what we see or read, to understand the ways in which the author expresses his thoughts.
I must say that this form significantly distinguishes us from many animals, but even more significantly from each other. At the present time, people can easily be divided into those who are trying to portray things, passing them through the prism of their inner world, and those who see everything as it is. That is why the art form is incredibly important, useful and complex, but it can never be objective. This is the main problem of this kind of knowledge. After all, it pursues the goal of identifying and accumulating objective knowledge, and not subjective visions. Nevertheless, this form is used quite often. She also made a huge contribution to the development of our civilization.
Philosophical
Philosophical knowledge is incredibly valuable both for the world that existed several centuries ago, and for us. Only thanks to philosophical knowledge can one go beyond reality, being. It was philosophers who began to put forward hypotheses about the structure of our world and even the Universe. They talked about our body, thinking, the characteristics of all people even before they were invented.ways to explore all these aspects.
Philosophical knowledge is usually divided into two types - epistemological (or general) and ontological. The second type is based on the study of essence and being, and from all their sides - real, mental, subjective, objective, etc. Remarkably, through this type of knowledge, people not only determined the world around them, found their place in it, but also showed how this place should be.
Philosophy often strives for idealization, so this kind of knowledge rather answers the questions: "How is it, how should it be?" Again, in general terms. Such general forms are given to us by social science, the types of knowledge in which are not disclosed so fully as not to overstep the boundaries of philosophy.
Steps
In addition to types, levels of knowledge are also distinguished. Sometimes they are referred to as forms. But it is more correct to speak of them as steps that are used in all types. There are only two such levels. But they play an incredibly big role in our lives.
Sensual level
It is built on our senses and completely dependent on them. Since ancient times, even when the descendants of modern man did not begin to master the tools of labor, they were already endowed with feelings. Remember the everyday form of knowledge. For example, we wouldn't understand that fire is hot if we couldn't feel it. Although many talk about 6 senses, there are actually more. Thus, the seventh sense could be called the sensation of attraction, the so-called forcegravity.
Sensory level forms
In general, there are only 3 of them. They combine many senses. These are the following mechanisms:
- Feeling. Able to convey to us some of the properties of the subject. Due to the uniqueness of each of the sense organs, we get a "report" on the characteristics of a particular thing, phenomenon, process. Using the example of an apple, we can say that with the help of vision we see color, with the help of touch we can determine its softness, temperature, shape, with the help of taste buds - taste.
- Perception. This is a more global form. Through it, we receive the most complete information, combine everything that was received with the help of sensation into a complete picture. Adding everything described in the first paragraph, we will understand many important characteristics of an apple.
- Performance. Based on our memory. Allows you to create a sensual image of the subject. For example, think of a lemon, how it is carefully cut into slices, sprinkled with s alt. You will immediately feel a rush of saliva in your mouth, as well as a sour taste. The shape of the lemon, its color and other characteristics will pop up in memory. Representation allows us not to lose the important knowledge we have gained in life.
Rational level
Levels of knowledge without the final, logical step would look wrong. Historically, man has been able to feel since his appearance on the planet. But I learned to think, write, analyze much later. This level is completely built on mental qualities. That's why it's incredibly difficult.and not as visual as sensual. However, its usefulness is extremely high, especially since with the development of modern society, it is the rational level that becomes more in demand. Most of the objects of our planet have already passed through all forms of the sensory level. This means that they need to be systematized, written down and certain conclusions drawn.
Rational Level Forms
There are three types:
- Concept. With the help of sensation, we determined the property, thanks to perception we made up a complete picture, and using this form, we were able to present the knowledge gained. To understand that a lemon tastes sour, you don't have to taste it, just read about it.
- Judgment. It is always directional. For example, the phrase "lemon is sour" is a prime example of this form. Judgment can be negative or positive. But it is also built either on a concept or on a perception.
- Conclusion. Comes from the previous form. It sums up everything that we have systematized in one answer. Thus, by saying that the lemon is not sweet, not poisonous, and has a yellow color, we can draw some conclusion about this subject. There are three types of reasoning: inductive, deductive and by analogy. Remember the stories of Sherlock Holmes. He actively used deduction to draw conclusions using ordinary judgments.
Individually, intuition is sometimes singled out as a special level of cognition. True, this phenomenon is still too poorly understood.
