Purchase Solution

Science, Religion & Knowledge Theory Application

Not what you're looking for?

Ask Custom Question

Please explain the following -

250 words:
What are key arguments offered by proponents of the scientific method and the critiques of these arguments? Consider, also, the claims of limits on human potential for acquisition of scientific knowledge. Can scientific approaches to knowledge be reconciled with others, such as a prior knowledge, subjectivism, and faith, or are they mutually exclusive?
__________________________________________________________________________

600 words:
Explain how knowledge theory is manifested in a particular professional setting that you have knowledge of (educational, manufacturing, service, or business etc.) Incorporate organizations with which you have been or are currently affiliated. Use such observations as a basis for deriving general principles concerning which approaches are effective and which are not.

Purchase this Solution
Solution Summary

The solution is a two part APA-essay discussing (topic 1) The Scientific Method and knowledge acquisition as well as critiques of scientific knowledge in relation to possible reconciliation with religious and subjective as well as culture-based knowledge and (topic 2) Knowledge Theory Application in a professional setting. In part two knowledge theory is explained and application from a professional position explored. References are provided. A word version of the solution is attached for easy printing.

Solution Preview

Dear Student,
The solution below was prepared as a guide, a point from which you can view perspectives and viewpoints that answer the questions you have indicated in your posting. Please take note of the references - they can be used to expand the narrative presented. Also, don't forget to cross check with the materials you have so as to make your final answer course-specific. All the best of the New Year!

Sincerely,
OTA 105878/Xenia Jones
---------------------------------------

The Scientific Method, Beliefs & Critiques

When Rene Descartes declared 'Cogito ergo sum' - 'I think therefore I am', the world of enlightenment started to embark on what would then establish reason as the basis of ascertaining the truth. Prior to this, the Divine Circuit of Knowledge was the standard - what was true was ascertained according to the rules of religion. The Cartesian idea that existence happens because of the mind has led us through generations of thinkers and paradigms to the now accepted norm that what is true about our world and reality can only be arrived at via the scientific process - following the scientific method allows for verifiable knowledge that establish certain 'truths' about how reality works. Theories universal or specific borne out of the scientific method has helped man 'tame' nature and via scientific knowledge develop better working technologies and innovations that lead to more discoveries, realizations and answers to many questions. The biggest critique of scientific knowledge is proposed by many as institutions that are belief-based, i.e. religion. By faith, there is no need for proof to prove the truth behind a claim. But is faith and science really exclusive? Thomas Kuhn argued that some scientists 'hold the scientific method' to be the only ascertainer of truth, yet, in practice, it is possible to 'corrupt' and 'cook' results and data for the purpose of making certain claims achieve the status f scientific theory. By doing so, scientists ignore the ethics of research for personal belief of the ...

Solution provided by:
Xenia Rochelle Jones, MA, PhD (IP)
Education
  • MPhil/PhD (IP), Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
  • MA, Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
  • Certificate, Geva Ulpan (via Universita Tel Aviv)
  • BA, University of the Philippines
Recent Feedback
  • "Thank you!:)"
  • "Excellent, thank you!:)"
  • "Thank you for your timely help. I have submitted another posting (656038) and assigned it directly to you. Please help."
  • "Thank you so much for your timely help. Much appreciated."
  • "Thanks so much for your support."
Purchase this Solution
Free BrainMass Quizzes
Anxiety Disorders

This quiz is designed to help students gain a better understanding of various types of anxiety disorders.

Health Psychology

This quiz speaks to the general concepts, themes, and terminology associated with the field of health psychology.

Controversies in Developmental Psychology

This quiz addresses controversies in developmental psychology.

Theories of Work Motivation

This quiz tests the student's understanding of the major theories of work motivation from an organizational behavior perspective.

A Review of Qualitative and Quantitative methodologies

This quiz is designed to test your knowledge of qualitative and quantitative methodologies. Knowing the difference between the two can help in making the important decision of which to use when conducting research.

View More Free Quizzes
Related BrainMass Solutions

  • Philosophy and wisdom

    Wisdom, on the other hand, relates knowledge to our chosen values, attempting to discern the best way to live in light of what we know. Philosophy seeks wisdom as characterized above, while science seeks knowledge.

  • Critical Thinking Question

    Many, however, still hold to their religion and assert that religion has its own distinctive ways of knowing, quite different from those of science, but still "real" and true knowledge.

  • Rational Emotive Theory Validated Within Social Sciences

    Philosophers deal with an idealized model of science-as-cognition...for them, science is first and foremost a body of factual and theoretical knowledge.

  • Theory & the Philosophy of Science: An analysis

    I know that theory starts out as a hypothesis, but am unsure on how to clarify philosophy of science (scientific knowledge?) To me the philosophy of science equate what we know in science.....

  • Pierre Theilhard de Chardin

    52874 Pierre Theilhard de Chardin Why did religious or faithful people of his day reject the scientific theory of evolution? Why is science seen as threatening to ones faith in God?

  • Peer-reviewed journal articles

    With the help of theory, one can bring together knowledge that a person possesses on a particular topic and through the application that knowledge can be tested (Scharff, 1996).

  • Nursing Theories and the Concept of Religion

    She was motivated to develop a theory of nursing in an effort to help nursing become a science distinct from medical science. This goal cannot be achieved without "... an organized body of abstract knowledge specific to nursing..."

  • Counselling: Logical Positivism and Reflection in Action

    Thus, the technical rationality of new knowledge finds application in the hands of counselors who assume a reflective practice. For example, a counselor finds new use for the application known as Skype.

  • Psychotherapy Applications

    But is theory critical in providing quality psychotherapy or is it more important to be proficient in techniques? This probably is a lead to the questions whether psychotherapy is more art than science.

View More Related Solutions