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

I. Scope
can seem abstract, intimidating and
Knowledge
to describe. Where should we begin?
hard
a helpful way into this conversation
Perhaps
to think about knowledge as a map. A map
is
not a natural object; it is something that
is
created. It includes some details but
humans
others, and has a boundary beyond which
not
may know nothing. It has territories, which
we
can think of as the Areas of Knowledge
we
and features such as mountains,
(AOKs),
and forests that run through them—
rivers
perhaps, the knowledge themes. How
like,
these territories and features known and
are
Who has made this map and
demarcated?
that it should look this way? None
decided
it is natural, or neutral. A map is created
of
represent the world, but simplifies much
to
the world’s complexity. Despite these
of
maps have been invaluable in
limitations,
us to explore, learn and navigate the
enabling
successfully. We might say the same
world
about knowledge, such as the following.
thing
Who produced this knowledge, when, where,
•
and for what purpose?
how
What about the world does this knowledge
•
and what does it leave out?
represent
How does this knowledge reflect or distort
•
real world?
the
Is this knowledge reliable—how does it help
•
make sense of phenomena and make
us
much the same way that we examine a map’s
In
strengths and weaknesses, we can ask
purpose,
questions about knowledge. Among the
similar
of the world, the Hobo-Dyer projection
maps
1.1) accurately represents areas but
(Figure
shapes, and is hard to navigate with.
not
Mercator projection is the most well-known
The
of the globe and probably the one
projection
are most familiar with. It is more useful as
you
navigational tool, but a much less accurate
a
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I . S C O P E
decisions?
representation of the world.
Figure 1.1
The Hobo-Dyer map projection, designed by Mick Dyer (2002), preserves relative areas at the cost of distorting shapes. How
does it compare with the Mercator projection (developed in 1569), the most widely used map of the Earth?
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