Theory of Knowledge: Responsibility to Acquire Knowledge

Study Notes

Responsibility to Acquire Knowledge

The responsibility to acquire knowledge varies by area of knowledge (AOK)
Three broad reasons why responsibility to acquire knowledge varies by AOK:
- Scope and purpose of the AOK
- Contextual responsibilities of the knower within the AOK
- Methods and tools used by the AOK

Scope and Purpose of AOK

Defined by the knowledge framework of the AOK
Includes definition, boundaries, and purpose of the AOK
Open to debate, giving rise to knowledge arguments

Contextual Responsibilities of the Knower

Ethical and moral obligations and duties specific to the AOK
Contextually specific, applying in some contexts but not others
Example: doctor's responsibility to acquire medical knowledge due to their profession

Methods and Tools Used by AOK

Varying responsibility to acquire knowledge based on methods and tools used
Need to focus on the knower acquiring knowledge, not the knowledge producer
Example: rumor on Twitter vs. academic research paper

Real-Life Example: AOK History

2014: UK Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove, rewrote history curriculum, making teaching of black people's history optional
Gove, as a knower, has more responsibility to acquire knowledge about history due to his context (influence over what is taught in schools)
Power to influence beliefs of knowledge communities leads to varying responsibility to acquire knowledge

Evaluation Points

Claim: responsibility to acquire knowledge varies by AOK depending on the knower's context
Evaluation points:
- AOK-specific approach to knowledge may not be unique to AOK history
- All knowers have a responsibility to interrogate all knowledge, regardless of context or AOK
- Context of a knower is fluid, layered, and hybrid, making it difficult to develop uniform rules for knowledge acquisition

Responsibility to Acquire Knowledge

The responsibility to acquire knowledge varies by Area of Knowledge (AOK)
Three broad reasons for this variation:
- Scope and purpose of the AOK
- Contextual responsibilities of the knower within the AOK
- Methods and tools used by the AOK

Scope and Purpose of AOK

Defined by the knowledge framework of the AOK
Includes definition, boundaries, and purpose of the AOK
Open to debate, giving rise to knowledge arguments

Contextual Responsibilities of the Knower

Ethical and moral obligations and duties specific to the AOK
Contextually specific, applying in some contexts but not others
Example: a doctor's responsibility to acquire medical knowledge due to their profession

Methods and Tools Used by AOK

Varying responsibility to acquire knowledge based on methods and tools used
Focus on the knower acquiring knowledge, not the knowledge producer
Example: rumor on Twitter vs. an academic research paper

Real-Life Example: AOK History

In 2014, UK Secretary of State for Education Michael Gove rewrote the history curriculum, making the teaching of black people's history optional
As a knower, Gove has more responsibility to acquire knowledge about history due to his context (influence over what is taught in schools)
Power to influence beliefs of knowledge communities leads to varying responsibility to acquire knowledge

Evaluation Points

Claim: responsibility to acquire knowledge varies by AOK depending on the knower's context
Evaluation points:
- AOK-specific approach to knowledge may not be unique to AOK history
- All knowers have a responsibility to interrogate all knowledge, regardless of context or AOK
- Context of a knower is fluid, layered, and hybrid, making it difficult to develop uniform rules for knowledge acquisition

Description

Explore the varying responsibilities to acquire knowledge across different areas of knowledge, including scope, purpose, and contextual responsibilities. Discover how methods and tools used by each area of knowledge impact knowledge acquisition.