Theme 1 pre-study

Theme 1: Theory of knowledge and theory of science  pre-self study

1.     In the preface to the second edition of "Critique of Pure Reason" (page B xvi) Kant says: "Thus far it has been assumed that all our cognition must conform to objects. On that presupposition, however, all our attempts to establish something about them a priori, by means of concepts through which our cognition would be expanded, have come to nothing. Let us, therefore, try to find out by experiment whether we shall not make better progress in the problems of metaphysics if we assume that objects must conform to our cognition." How are we to understand this?

In Kant’s article, he tried to explain that our cognition of natural objects is not only depend on a priori knowledge but also connective with a posteriori knowledge. So what is a priori and a posteriori knowledge? A priori knowledge is something you don’t need do experiment to confirm it is true or wrong. A posteriori knowledge is something you obtained through experiences. The metaphysics explained that everything exists in natural are originally what they like and do not need to confirm them. But the object of human cognition is it the real essence in natural?

Kant try to use the example of Copernicus to establish a new point of view, Copernicus assumed that the entire celestial host revolves around the observer but he can not has a good explanation of the celestial motions, then he changed his overview to make the observer revolve and left the stars at rest to seek if can make a progress. That is a change of thinking and for thus Kant put forward that objects must conform to our cognition.

Scientific is based on the principle of empirical. Kant suggest to use an opening mind in scientific research and objects cognition, ‘it must take the lead with principles for its judgment according to constant laws and compel nature to answer its questions, rather than letting nature guide its movements by keeping reason, as it were, in leading-strings;’ If not, those accidental observations and plans of no previously designed will never connect up into a necessary law. The principles of nature and the experiments thought out in accordance with these principles must be implement in the same time that can lead the scientific in a truly cognition way.

2.     At the end of the discussion of the definition "Knowledge is perception", Socrates argues that we do not see and hear "with" the eyes and the ears, but "through" the eyes and the ears. How are we to understand this? And in what way is it correct to say that Socrates argument is directed towards what we in modern terms call "empiricism"?

In my mind, the things you see and hear sometimes are not the truly what they are, it will depend on the cognition of the person. The different environment or different experience for people will have different opinions in a same thing. Like right and wrong, it is difficult to distinguish. Things can emerge different principles, for what you obtained will just decided by yourself. So  "Knowledge is perception" is not correctly in the end. Socrates will not given a clearly definition for what is knowledge like it inherently is difficult to define. But Socrates lead a way for thinking, like he said he is a midwife and use his art to help those people who’s thought dystocia and judge if it worth bringing up.

The definition of empiricism in Wikipedia is’ a theory that states that knowledge comes only or primarily from sensory experience.’ In other words, empiricism is same with a posteriori knowledge. In Socrates argument, theaetetus give three different definitions of what knowledge is, Socrates use the phenomenon and examples from the life to against theaetetus. Those things are all posteriori experience we obtained in our life. I would prefer that knowledge come from experience and I think both opinions from Socrates and Kant will guide me in a better way to understanding what is the media technology in my study.