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Theory of Knowledge - Course Companion for Students Marija Uzunova Dang Arvin Singh Uzunov Dang

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Knowledge

and politics 2

is concerned with the acquisition and application of power, in its many forms, as well as

Politics

collective decisions that are contestable. In knowledge and politics we refer not only to political

all

and structures, but also the wider sense of political life, in which we gather to deliberate and

systems

decisions, as citizens as well as members of communities.

make

this chapter we consider the tensions in knowledge and politics, such as the differences between

In

and opinion; facts and values; and reliability and neutrality. We answer the questions:

knowledge

is knowledge political, and how does this affect knowledge? Despite longstanding negative

why

politics is a way—perhaps a good way, perhaps the only way—of navigating divisive

connotations,

issues and stubborn problems, of attempting to change the world for the better.

Initial discussion

• Is politics the best method available to us for changing the world?

• Is being knowledgeable a prerequisite for effective and active citizenship?

• What attributes are necessary or desirable in a political leader?

• What role does, and should, politics play in the institutions where knowledge is produced and disseminated?

• How are agreement and disagreement on matters of fact dealt with within politics?

• What gives validity to a knowledge claim in politics?

22

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