SOURCES OF KNOWLWDGE

Dr. SHAFAYAT ALI MALIK

Assistant Professor/ HOD
Department of Mass Communication
Govt. College of Science,
Wahdat Road, Lahore
Sources of Knowledge

 Many ways to gain knowledge

 Some are better than others
 Reliability and accuracy ways of acquiring knowledge
 Science as a means of gaining knowledge
 Philosopher/Scholars as mean of knowledge
 Spiritual leaders as a source of knowledge
 Islam as a Source of Knowledge
Meaning of Source & Knowledge

Source is a place, person, or thing from which something

originates or can be obtained.
Concept of Knowledge
Knowledge includes the fact or condition of knowing
which is gained through experience or association.
Any new information acquired by an organism
through formal, informal or non formal way of inquiry
can be termed as knowledge.
 Definitions of Knowledge

Plato has examined 3 definitions of knowledge which are:

 Knowledge is perception or sensation
 Knowledge is true belief
 Knowledge is true belief accompanied by a rational
ground
Plato finally called knowledge as ‘Justified truth’
Dewey denotes knowledge as ‘inference from truth’
(A conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning)
 Definitions of Knowledge

 According to the most widely accepted definitions

“knowledge is justified true belief”
 It is a kind of belief is supported by the fact that both
knowledge and belief can have the same objects and that what
is true of someone who believes something to be the case is
also true, among other things, of one who knows it.
For example, sun rises in the east is the knowledge or true
belief that is supported by the fact which is arrived at through
daily observations for millions of years by people.
Types of Acquiring of knowledge

Unscientific sources of knowledge

Scientific sources of knowledge
Divine Books
Ahdees/ Seerat
Unscientific sources of knowledge
1.Superstition and Intuition

Gaining knowledge via superstition means “Acquiring

knowledge that is based on subjective feelings, or believing
in magical events.
For example, you may have heard someone say “Bad things
happen in threes.” Where does this idea come from? has ever
documented that bad events occur in threes?
Superstition and Intuition (cont.)

Some people believe that breaking a mirror brings 7 years

of bad luck or that the number 13 is unlucky. Once again,
these are examples of superstitious beliefs that are not
based on observation or hypothesis testing.
knowledge via intuition
Knowledge gained without being consciously aware of its
source.
2.knowledge via intuition

When we gain knowledge via intuition, it means that we have

knowledge of something without being consciously aware of
where the knowledge came from.
You have probably heard people say things like “I don’t know, it’s
just a gut feeling” or “I don’t know, it just came to me, and I know
it’s true.” These statements represent examples of intuition.
Sometimes we intuit something based not on a “gut feeling” but
on events we have observed. The problem is that the events may
be misinterpreted and not representative of all events in that
category.
3.Authority
knowledge via authority means Knowledge gained from those
viewed as authority figures. When we accept what a respected
or famous person tells us.
Parents as authority figures
Teachers as authority figures
For example, in some time periods and cultures, the church and
its leaders were responsible for providing much of the
knowledge that individuals gained throughout their lives.
 4.Tenacity
Gaining knowledge via tenacity involves hearing a piece of
information so often that you begin to believe it is true, and then,
despite evidence to the contrary, you cling stubbornly to the belief.
Method is often used in political campaigns, where a particular
slogan is repeated so often that we begin to believe it.
Advertisers also use the method of tenacity by repeating their
slogan for a certain product over and over until people begin to
associate the slogan with the product and believe that the
product meets its claims.
 Tenacity is something, which psychologically force the people to
accept it.
5.Rationalism
Knowledge gained through logical reasoning.
With this approach, ideas are precisely stated and logical
rules are applied to arrive at a logically sound conclusion.
Rational ideas are often presented in the form of a syllogism.
For example: For example:
All humans are mortal; Attractive people are good;
I am a human; Hafiz Irshad is attractive;
Therefore, Hafiz Irshad is good.
Therefore, I am mortal.
6.Empiricism
Knowledge via empiricism involves gaining knowledge
through objective observation and the experiences of your
senses.
An individual who says “I believe nothing until I see it
with my own eyes” is an empiricist.
The empiricist gains knowledge by seeing, hearing,
tasting, smelling, and touching.
7.Tradition

Much social related knowledge are preserved and

transmitted through traditions.
Much information which is largely depends on traditions
 Certain beliefs are accepted as truths
Certain practices are accepted, simply based on custom.
Knowledge passed down through generations
 8.Trial and Error
Trial and Error is one of the ways of acquiring new knowledge
Individual learn more things through trial and error process
Knowledge related to practical, professional. Skilled and semi
skilled professions are largely depends on the source of
knowledge.
For example: use of computer, Smart phone, driving, Cricket,
Teaching etc.
Sources of Knowledge IN REVIEW
SOURCE DESCRIPTION ADVANTAGES/
DISADVANTAGES
Superstition Gaining knowledge through subjective feelings, Not Not empirical or logical
empirical or logical interpreting random events as
nonrandom events or believing in magical events
Intuition Gaining knowledge without being consciously Not Not empirical or logical
empirical or logical aware of where the knowledge came
from
Authority Gaining knowledge from those viewed as authority figures Not empirical or logical;
authority figure may not
be an expert in the area
Tenacity Gaining knowledge by clinging stubbornly to Not empirical or logical
repeated ideas, despite evidence to the contrary
Rationalism Gaining knowledge through logical reasoning Logical but not empirical

Empiricism Gaining knowledge through observations of organisms and Empirical but not
events in the real world necessarily systematic
 Scientific sources of knowledge

Scientific knowledge is based on empirical evidence and is

appropriate for understanding the natural world.
It provides only a limited understanding of the supernatural,
aesthetic, or other ways of knowing, such as art, philosophy, or
religion.
Scientific knowledge is durable and robust but open to change.
 Because science is based on empirical evidence scientists
strive for objectivity.
Characteristics of Scientific Knowledge
1. Objectivity
2. Verifiability / Measureable
3. Ethical Neutrality
4. Empirically proved/Observable
5. Reliability
6. Accuracy/Trustworthiness
7. Abstractness
8. Predictability
9.Universal Application 10. Experimental
Characteristics of Scientific Knowledge (cont.)
Objectivity: Scientific knowledge is objective. Objectivity
simple means the ability to see and accept facts as they are,
not as one might wish them to be.
Verifiability: Scientific knowledge is based on verifiable
evidence (concrete factual observations) so that other
observers can observe, weigh or measure the same
phenomena and check out observation for accuracy.
Ethical Neutrality: Science is ethically neutral.
Divine Books

The source of this Divine Knowledge is God

The Taurat /Musa (A.S)
The Zabur//Dawud (A.S)
The Injeel/ Esa(A.S)
The Qur'an of Muhammad (S.A.W)
QURAN AS SOURCE OF KNOWLEDGE
Will discuss in next lecture In shaa Alla…….

Thank you