Understanding the Theory of Knowledge and Intellectual Errors

1. Defining Knowledge According to Hessen

In the phenomenon of knowledge, we encounter the subject and the object of consciousness. Thus, knowledge is defined as the determination of the subject by the object. Knowledge is considered true if its content matches the object described. It consists of three main elements: the subject, the image, and the object.

2. The Five Fundamental Questions of Knowledge

These questions address the nature and limits of human understanding:

• A) Possibility: Can the human subject truly grasp the object?
• B) Origin: Is reason or experience the primary source of human knowledge?
• C) Essence: Does the object determine the subject, or vice versa?
• D) Forms: Can knowledge be rational, intuitive, or both?
• E) Criterion of Truth: How do we verify that our knowledge is accurate?

3. The Achilles' Heel of Knowledge

Education must acknowledge that knowledge is constantly threatened by the risk of error or illusion during its transmission.

4. Understanding Mental and Intellectual Errors

What are mental mistakes?

These occur when the inner workings of our brain affect our perception of the external world. Every mind possesses the potential for self-deception to achieve self-satisfaction.

What are intellectual errors?

These occur when our system of ideas is shielded by illusions, protecting information that should be integrated or corrected.

What are the mistakes of reason?

These arise when rationality devolves into rationalism—clinging to ideas without accepting criticism, leading to error and illusion.

Rationality vs. Rationalization

Rationality is open to criticism and external perspectives. In contrast, rationalization is enclosed within its own ideas and rejects any form of critique.

5. Paradigms and Cultural Influences

How is a paradigm used?

A paradigm acts as a selection principle for concepts of intelligibility. It determines which ideas are integrated into a discourse or theory and which are isolated or rejected.

What is cultural imprinting?

It is the background matrix that enforces conformism and standardization, often eliminating critical discourse.

What is noology?

Noology refers to the possession caused by our own thoughts and beliefs, as we are mental beings that possess life and power.

6. Education and the Blindness of Knowledge

According to Edgar Morin, the role of education is critical. Currently, education remains largely blind to the nature of human knowledge and fails to address the essential need to understand how we know what we know.