As a social constructivist, I believe that most knowledge is socially constructed. However, I have concluded that there are three forms of knowledge: 1) Empirical Knowledge, 2) Social Knowledge, 3) Self-actualized knowledge. Below I will briefly summarize them:
1) Empirical knowledge can be thoughts (or symbols) based on experiments or observations of nature that can describe and predict some phenomena. In principle, this type of knowledge should be generally accepted by all people, due to clear cut evidence needed to support any claims based on empirical knowledge. However there are many people that reject empirical knowledge due to having other beliefs (Self-actualized knowledge) that they feel are more “true” to them, even if there is no empirical evidence for them. By definition we are all ignorant until knowing truth, so for many people, a lack of empirical knowledge comes from the lack of interest in science or understanding the true nature of our universe.
2) Social Knowledge are thoughts (and symbols) that are created and propagated socially. The history of this knowledge goes back to the beginning of humanity. Some of this knowledge can be backed by evidence, but most of this knowledge is relative and depends on social factors. Religion, culture, language, laws, and social norms are all examples of social knowledge. It can be argued that even the concept of morality is socially constructed. Social Knowledge prevails every aspect of our lives and is completely shaped by our social experience and how society functions.
3) Self-actualized knowledge consists of how each individual human being interprets and experiences empirical and social knowledge. This kind of knowledge consists of self-actualized truths that influence by empirical and social knowledge but are often formed from the understanding and perceptions that an individual forms, as they live their lives. This knowledge helps reinforce social and empirical knowledge. Self-actualized knowledge is where individual perceptions are formed, acting as a filter of what an individual is likely to accept or believe. When individuals or groups of people falsely interpret or recall empirical knowledge, due to some form of ignorance or bias, those ideas cause ripples through society in the form of misinformation. Once ideas are constructed as self-actualized knowledge, they can only be deconstructed by purposeful intentions from the individual. Due to these reasons, self-actualized knowledge may be the most individualized and radical but is only constrained to the individual as opposed to society.
While I have concluded that there are fundamentally three kinds of knowledge, they are not mutually exclusive to one another. For example, many customs and traditions we celebrate today come from astronomical human observations tens of thousands of years ago. Features of the three kinds of knowledge are apparent in this example since an observation led to a tradition which led to people believing in those traditions. The evolution of humanity and our knowledge is amazing. We have constructed a vast understanding of the universe and yet we know very little overall.
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