Arozin - Theory of knowledge

The definition of knowledge, is addressed in Plato's text Theaetetus, where the greek philosopher Socrates discuss the definition of knowledge. The line of argument is that knowledge is perception, what information man can process through her senses, and also who is the judge in the perspective of right and wrong when it comes to knowledge. Socrates argues that we do not see and hear “with” the eyes and ears, but “through” the eyes and the ears. Practically, the definitions are almost the same, but the later describes the eyes and ears as means which man can process information, and whereas, acquire knowledge. Plato where one of the first that tried to solve the definition of knowledge, as we all know, we can't see what is going on in front of us, when we close our eyes. even if we know what was going on there a couple of seconds ago, it can all have been changed, and since we don't perceive any information through our senses, the theory that knowledge is perception is thereby correct.

In Kant’s text Critique of Pure Reason the the philosopher argues and discuss the meaning of cognition, and how human beings interpret with objects, both physical and imaginary. Kant argues around the concept that it´s mans individual cognition that conform to the object she contemplates, which restrains the individual imagination and ability to think outside the box. Kant tells us to look at it from another angle, that maybe its the objects that conform to our cognition.

In my opinion, this way of thinking expands the individuals imagination, and mainly wants us to see through the problem, and look outside the box. It also challenges the concept that an object is what it is defined to be, that an object can be so much more that we see in the beginning. Kant wants individuals to challenge the standards of objects from our usual way of perspective, and he wants us to (metaphorical speaking) twist and turn objects, and find other meanings to their existence than already is defined by society.

Plato also discussed the aspect of truth in knowledge, which I found most interesting, since it also is discussed by Kant. An example is that humans perceive light and thereby colour differently then, lets say, animals, or a colour blind person. How can I know what colour something is, if I see on specific colour, and my neighbour another. Which colour is correct? which one of us has the right to be judge of which colour is right. Plato argues against this, since the individual on numerous occasions isn't capable of processing the truth due to lack of skill, cunning and thereby knowledge. He also discuss that the truth about what is right and wrong when it comes to knowledge lies in the eyes of the beholder.

I think that both Plato and Kant are correct in their assumptions, strictly theoretically, but practically our senses interfere with each other, and together they define objects. I can still hear the dog barking in front of me, even if I can't see it, I can still smell the food on my plate, even if I can't see it, and so forth. And in that aspect I think Plato and Kant has small flaws in their theories if applied to reality. Assume that a tree falls in the forest, we all know that it emits a sound while crashing down, but if no one is there to perceive the sound of the crash, does the crashes still emit the sound? this is another way of thinking, which I expected both Plato and Kant to remotely discuss in their theories. We all know, that though the laws of physics, the crash emits sound.

Kant tries to find a solution to this, through his theory that objects conform to mans perception, as I mentioned before, and I concur that people need to have an unlimited imagination and wider perspective of the defined purposes of objects.

Plato's way of thinking is what we today call empiricism, that knowledge is defined by hard facts, experience based evidence, data and what we can perceive. That only observed facts are knowable facts, which emerges in the theory that knowledge is perception. Plato didn't leave anything for chance when it comes to knowledge, and bot Platos and Kant's theories and way of thinking is the foundation of todays modern science.