What are the reasons for seeking knowledge?
Humans are naturally curious creatures. We believe that learning more will improve our lives and result in positive outcomes for us as individuals and for the society. The more we know about the world we live in, the more we can utilize our resources and enhance our lives. Humans often believe that knowledge is power and has the ability to empower us. Through knowledge, we are able to decide what is beneficial to us and what is harmful to us and we are able to make rational decisions about the world around us. Scientific research is conducted to benefit the society and the environment. Research is too costly to be used to answer questions that are not benefiting anyone or anything. As a community, scientific researchers must decide what questions are important and which are irrelevant. As humans, we seek knowledge to benefit ourselves as a species. As scientific researchers, knowledge is sought out to answer the questions that the society has about the natural world.
Because we are able to make abstract references to everyday experiences, communicate our ideas using symbols, and have the capacity for self-realization and it’s ability to seek and attach meaning in our lives, we have an edge over many of the other animals on this planet. Many would say that humans seek knowledge for a very simple reason, just because we are capable of doing so.
On page 95 of Karl Popper's article "The Myth of the Framework" he claims, “Science begins when a myth is challenged and breaks down- that is, when some of our expectations are disappointed.” Researchers seek knowledge to answer these questions. When what we expect to happen does not match up with what is actually happening then that creates another reason for seeking scientific knowledge. Humans naturally search for order and reason, therefore, we want explanations about how the objects in our world work. Scientific research does a nice job of providing those answers, even though the answers may not be concrete or stand the test of time.
Because we are able to make abstract references to everyday experiences, communicate our ideas using symbols, and have the capacity for self-realization and it’s ability to seek and attach meaning in our lives, we have an edge over many of the other animals on this planet. Many would say that humans seek knowledge for a very simple reason, just because we are capable of doing so.
On page 95 of Karl Popper's article "The Myth of the Framework" he claims, “Science begins when a myth is challenged and breaks down- that is, when some of our expectations are disappointed.” Researchers seek knowledge to answer these questions. When what we expect to happen does not match up with what is actually happening then that creates another reason for seeking scientific knowledge. Humans naturally search for order and reason, therefore, we want explanations about how the objects in our world work. Scientific research does a nice job of providing those answers, even though the answers may not be concrete or stand the test of time.