Role of Social Trust and knowledge

Question: Discuss about the Role of Social Trust and knowledge. Answer: Introduction A study of philosophy concerns the basic problems related to existence, knowledge, reason and values. It includes metaphysics, a study of reality or truth and epistemology a study of knowledge. Great philosophers claim that there is a close relationship between knowledge and truth. Truth and knowledge are inseparable. A critical study of truth always corresponds to the study of knowledge. There are many theories and views regarding truth and knowledge. Though some people argue that truth and knowledge are one and the same, there are some differences between them. The rational argument, questioning and critical discussion enable the readers to know the difference between truth and knowledge. What is truth? Truth is something that corresponds to the forms of reality or fact. It never changes. It adheres to the original or the standard state of being in time and space. It is what something actually is. Humans convey information to others by means of language and words. There are some criteria for determining truth. The accuracy of any statement or claim can be verified using the logic (Gopnik, Meltzoff and Bryant 1997). The standard or the rules which distinguish truth from falsehood is determined by the individual. Jonanthan Dolhenty suggested three tests for determining the validity of truth. They are correspondence, coherence and pragmatic theories of truth. Some criteria for truth There are some rules which prove the statement to be true is discussed in this paragraph. Firstly, the opinion of experienced or highly trained people is considered to be true. Secondly, the consistent and overreaching explanation for some facts is the effective test for truth. Thirdly, when a claim for some facts corresponds to its objects is true, it is also considered to be truth. Fourthly, the peoples close adherence to the principle of custom also becomes truth. The acceptance of assertions and proposals are the major rule for truth. Finally, the truth value is revealed upon examination of the results of a concept. What is knowledge? Knowledge is far more concerned in being comprehensive and it acts in relation with other truths available (Johnson and Onwuegbuzie 2004). It is the basic information available to an individual or a personal experience with which he understands or becomes aware of something (Schantz 2001). The philosopher Plato defined knowledge to be a justified true belief which makes a statement to meet three criteria in order to be considered as knowledge. The statement must be justified. It should be true in its existence and must be believable and reliable (Appleyard 1973). Knowledge varies as per perception Knowledge is someones understanding and awareness about a certain aspect of real facts. Knowledge is something one thinks with the induction of ones perspectives and thought processes into the whole scenario. For example, when one studies science, he learns a lot of things that have evidence to prove that they are what they are. Every scientific result that is out of some experiment will be called as truth and this cannot be changed i.e. the reaction between two molecules of Hydrogen with one single molecule of oxygen will always lead to the formation of water (Trevarthen and Aitken 2001). This is an example of truth. And the perception of this whole data or information becomes the knowledge. Knowledge is not only based on truth, but it is also the evolution of truth. It is acquired by reasoning, data analysis and deriving inferences. Differences between knowledge and truth Truth and knowledge are two similarly related entities where the knowledge is influenced by the perspectives of the people involved. The truth may be unique but the knowledge about the truth may differ from person to person as perspective plays a key role in changing it. Truth is the destination in any argument whereas knowledge acts a middleman and gets the conversation in a path that leads to the destination (Siegrist and Cvetkovich 2000). Truth is a not a sufficient condition for knowledge though is necessary for it. Knowledge is the practical understanding of a concept after experience, experimentation or education. But truth is conformed to the knowledge acquired. Truth is found but knowledge is gained. Wisdom is what one has obtained whereas truth is just an opinion of facts. Knowledge is accumulation of facts while truth stems out from a single point. Evidences to prove the difference. Truth is specific whereas knowledge is a comprehensive understanding of applying one truth in relation to other truth (Mruk 2006). The truth is that sun is hot and knowledge is that sun can be the source of energy. The truth is that ice is cold and the knowledge is that ice can be used for cold storage. Truth is more often abstract. It can be believed or not. But knowledge is based on the facts and proved by experiments and evidences. Truth is everlasting and it remains the same in spite of the change in the time, place and circumstance while knowledge is the gradual evolution of the truth. For example, the important events of the nation, in ones life are truth. These facts whether one knows or not, it is true as these data are adopted not informed. At the same time, knowing about eternity, heaven, hell and forming of cells is informed and it has to be gained through study or experience (Hunt 1990). The earth revolves around the sun and the fact that the stars are far off is true in its sense. The knowledge of these truths can be gained only through study. So truth exists everyone and it cannot be attained or achieved. On the other hand, knowledge can be possessed if efforts are taken. Truth seems to be accurate but knowledge may be true or false. For instance, oil wells are obtained near sea beds is truth. The knowledge about its exact location may not be correct. Conclusion There are different opinions about the concepts of truth and knowledge. What one thinks as truth, may not be true and what one gains may not be the real knowledge. The perception about truth and knowledge differs from person to person. The scientific theories change and so the facts once considered to be true may change in course of time. The knowledge one acquires at an early age is improved as he grows up. Truth and knowledge are interdependent. Truth changes when there are new discoveries and knowledge changes when there are new findings of facts. References Appleyard, D., 1973.Notes on urban perception and knowledge. na. Gopnik, A., Meltzoff, A.N. and Bryant, P., 1997.Words, thoughts, and theories(Vol. 1). Cambridge, MA: Mit Press. Hunt, S.D., 1990. Truth in marketing theory and research.The Journal of Marketing, pp.1-15. Johnson, R.B. and Onwuegbuzie, A.J., 2004. Mixed methods research: A research paradigm whose time has come.Educational researcher,33(7), pp.14-26. Mruk, C.J., 2006.Self-esteem research, theory, and practice: Toward a positive psychology of self-esteem. Springer Publishing Company. Schantz, R. ed., 2001.What is truth?(Vol. 1). Walter de Gruyter. Siegrist, M. and Cvetkovich, G., 2000. Perception of hazards: The role of social trust and knowledge.Risk analysis,20(5), pp.713-720. Trevarthen, C. and Aitken, K.J., 2001. Infant intersubjectivity: Research, theory, and clinical applications.Journal of child psychology and psychiatry,42(1), pp.3-48.