TOK Essay on Pursuit of Knowledge
IB, Theory of Knowledge, 2002
[i:e5dc60c6df]How do beliefs about the world, and beliefs about what is valuable, influence the pursuit of knowledge?[/i:e5dc60c6df]
A pursuit, by definition, requires a goal or answer to a question that the pursuer is attempting to reach. This end, towards which effort is directed, is based upon previous knowledge that says that it will be fruitful in some way. Any knowledge that is pursued is, logically, pursued for a reason. This reason must be that the knowledge could prove valuable in some way to the acquirer of the knowledge. What is believed to be valuable would thus greatly influence what knowledge is pursued. Since the beliefs about the world help define what is valuable, they too determine the type of knowledge that is searched for and acquired. This type of knowledge, that people think will be the most valuable to them, is the type of knowledge that is searched for and of course attained before the type of knowledge that is unexpected or thought unnecessary.
To logically determine the extent to which the values and beliefs of humanity affect its pursuit of knowledge, all types of knowledge must be considered. Empirical knowledge significantly affects the further pursuit of knowledge; as the type of knowledge that is acquired through experiences, future pursuits of knowledge are frequently based on it. Rational knowledge is applicable because knowledge that is found through experimentation is looked for with a preconceived objective in mind. Metaphysical knowledge must be considered because beliefs about the world and the realm of metaphysics both affect what is deemed valuable. Even the effects of intuitive knowledge must be examined because they are the basis of humanity’s search for knowledge for reasons of preservation.
The examples of the pursuit of knowledge based on what people believe to be valuable are almost infinite. In the 15th century, Christopher Columbus hoped to find a path to the Indies and to prove that the world was round. He did so in hopes of achieving the dual blessings of wealth and fame. The queen of Spain decided to finance his expedition because of her metaphysical beliefs in the world and her own interests. She believed that Christianity was the rightful religion and wanted to spread its message. What she believed was her duty towards the natives made her decide to give Columbus three ships so that he would be able to tell the "natives" of Christianity....