Understanding Knowledge: Philosophy, Science, and Society
Understanding Knowledge: Key Concepts
Contact and Distinguishing Reality
Understanding reality involves distinguishing and explaining phenomena. This includes making sense of what is known, employing rational and systematic approaches.
Scientific Methods
Formal Science
Formal science uses symbols and logical reasoning. It involves demonstration through induction and deduction to derive propositions and conclusions.
- Axiomatic Systems: Unprovable axioms form the basis.
- Formation and Transformation Rules: Create valid new statements.
- Theorems: Derived from axioms or proven theorems.
Alternative Methods
Hypothetical-protocol statements are used, with objectives and communicable results.
- Laws: Universal statements describing phenomena behavior. A hypothesis becomes a law if confirmed by experimentation.
- Theories: Systems from which laws can be deduced.
Steps in Scientific Method
- Problem detection.
- Scenario development.
- Mathematical formulation of hypotheses.
- Verification and falsification of consequences.
- Acceptance of the hypothesis as a law if proven.
Social Sciences: Alternative Methods
The goal is to understand social reality and the relationship between subject and object. Characteristics include prediction capacity and value-neutrality.
- Explanation: Breaking down.
- Comprehension: Understanding.
Agents of Socialization
Family, school, social groups, media, and work introduce individuals to society. Attitudes and values are internalized.
- First World: Base.
- Second World: Contrast.
Social Groups
- Subculture: Distinctive actions (age, ethnicity).
- Counterculture: Rebellion against the dominant culture.
- Urban Tribes: Punks, skins.
- Social Delinquents: Attack the established system.
- Alternative Social Groups: Fill empty spaces with meetings, etc.
Philosophical Knowledge
Theoretical and Practical Aspects
Philosophical knowledge combines theoretical and practical aspects. It is rational, critical, and reflective, with arguments structured systematically.
- Rational-Critical: Reflection and reasoning.
- Systematic Structure: Integrative knowledge.
States of Mind
Ignorance, doubt, and certainty.
Criteria
- Authority: Credibility.
- Tradition: Accepted over time.
- Correspondence: Between thought and reality.
Action
- Conscious: Degree of ownership.
- Involuntary: Forced.
- Voluntary: Mixed control.
Elements include intention, purpose, and means.
Moral Framework
Law, religion, and ethics provide rules and content, with forms of punishment.
Universal Values
Values change over time (fair or unfair).
- Skepticism: No novelty.
- Subjectivism: Novelty, scientific questions.
- Emotivism: Moral affirmations express thoughts.
Internal and External Factors
External factors (laws, customs) and internal decisions influence actions.
Cosmos and Destiny
The universe and Stoic concepts of destiny. Two worlds: internal (in our hands) and external (not us).
Social Evolution
- Tribal
- Slave
- Feudal
- Modern
Political Systems
Liberal State
Freedom and dependence on the same law.
- Constitutionalism: Separation of powers.
- Participation: In the work of the powers.
Socialism
- Scientific: No market, no private property, no social classes, no state.
- Reformist: Subordinate market, controlling the economy.
Socially distribute political power in a democratic state.
Universalism
Shared values, respect for cultural differences, and dialogue. Respect for human rights, freedom, equality, and solidarity. Active tolerance.