Does our knowledge depend on our interactions with other knowers?

IB Theory Of Knowledge Exhibition

Jad krafssi

Words: 939
 The first object for this Exhibition piece is known as The First English Dictionary that serves as a
purpose of linguistic knowledge. The information that is found in the dictionary is written as a way to
communicate between knowers and experts. The information found in dictionaries are words that consist
of definitions and symbolistic meanings. Knowers tend to use a dictionary to gain knowledge on
vocabulary and culture. This implies that knowers are heavily reliant on learning new words and cultural
perspectives through interacting with a dictionary. However, with the rise of artificial intelligence and
new technological advancements, the influence on communication that knowers and experts have on each
other have evolved to be digitally where these knowers are able to manipulate and add new words or
information to help people gain knowledge about different cultures.
The widespread use of the dictionary presents its reliability as it is globally recognised amongst a
variety of different cultures and its significance in the communication between the interactions of
knowledge. This permits society and cultures to gain knowledge more thoroughly and adjust new
vocabulary to their daily lives and traditions. This is significant as we have entered an era where knowers
rely on the internet to find accurate information on vocabulary and communication which shows that
knowers nowadays depend on our interactions with technology and robotic advancements (such as AI)
instead of those with other knowers. However we are unable to certify its accuracy and reliability due to
how universal and easy to access the digital dictionary is. Interacting with these sources, online or with
other knowers in person, allows societies to equally understand information of those who come from
different cultures and values. However these cultural values differ from one another as, some words in
dictionaries could be presented as offensive, such as racial slurs, causing them to have a different cultural
interpretation than others.
The second object that I have chosen is the telephone was created in 1854 by a scientist named Alexander
Graham Bell. The first accurate telephone, finalized in 1854, was used by wealthy experts as a form to
communicate amongst themselves. Through the usage of a transmitter and receiver, they were able to
communicate their perspectives and information which they gained knowledge from. This form of
communication was pivotal for the evolution of technology and how it can be manipulated for forms of
interactions. Throughout history we are able to comprehend how technology can be used for
communication of knowledge. However, this information is uncertain to be accurate or not. Throughout
society in today's world, the telephone is used as a main pathway to the gaining of knowledge as we are
able to access other knowledge perspectives through social media and media pages. By just looking at our
mobile devices we are able to intake information if that is inaccurate or biased. Through the course of
history we are able to see the evolution of how experts have evolved the telephone and manipulated its
usage for their benefits of mass manipulation and control. This has been seen in Nazi Germany and as
forms of manipulation in the Soviet Union as means to collectively control their societies. These experts
were able to interfere and listen to the communication of knowers which was ultimately used against them
if they had opposing governmental views. This ultimately presents how interactions through the telephone
and other forms of technology are unreliable as your perspective can be altered by experts. However, by
interacting with other people, you can gain accurate knowledge or a sense of awareness of the realities of
technological communications which can help you understand how interactions can be used to gain
reliable information.
For my third objective I have decided to choose the Holy Quran that was given to me as a kid when
learning about islam. What makes this Quran different from others is that it is translated in english. This
implies that in order for cultures such as my own to understand the islamic religion for my values have to
depend on the translated version of the Holy Quran instead of gaining religious knowledge from
elsewhere. In the religion of Islam, it is believed that the Quran are the words from Allah; the name of the
Islamic god. To put this in analogy of the prompt; Does our knowledge depend on our interactions with
other knowers? The expert is Allah and the cultures of the religion are presented as the knowers in Islam.
We can interpret the Quran as a pathway of Allah interacting with the followers (us knowers) to influence
their ability to gain knowledge about religion. Knowers of the Quran are unable to gain any precise
knowledge from anywhere other than the Quran, meaning that people are dependent on the Holy Book if
they want to enlighten themselves with information about the religion. However, people (knowers) are
able to gain knowledge from an Imam, a religious leadership figure of islam, who gets their knowledge
from the Quran themselves presenting the accuracy and beliefs surrounded by the Holy Book. Overall in
my experience when I read the Quran for the first time and actually understood it since it was in English I
discovered that there was no better way to gain knowledge other than the creator himself. The quran was
able to change my view on certain things that change my belief and values in a positive way. Additionally
the quran made me feel like I was interacting with allah since it is known in my culture that it is his
words. This made me become very dependent on the Quran to gain knowledge about my religion.
Sources:

Bellis, Mary. "The History of the Telephone." ThoughtCo, Aug. 27, 2021,
thoughtco.com/history-of-the-telephone-1992383.

“Did One Man Write the First Great English Dictionary All by Himself?” Dictionary.Com,
Dictionary.com, 19 Jan. 2021, www.dictionary.com/e/johnson/.

Al Hakam. “Ramadan: A Month for Illuminating the Heart through Holy Quran.” Al Hakam, 27 Mar.
2023, www.alhakam.org/ramadan-a-month-for-illuminating-the-heart-through-holy-quran/.

“Alexander Graham Bell.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., 19 Apr. 2024,
www.britannica.com/biography/Alexander-Graham-Bell.