Do We Have Knowledge Because Of Memorization Or Awareness?

Discussion in 'Education & Learning' started by Lon Tanner, Jan 18, 2021.

  1. Lon Tanner

    Lon Tanner Supreme Member
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    We may know the capital of Kansas because at some time in the past we memorized it or we may know it because we have watched the news on TV or read the news paper and are aware of certain facts.
     
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  2. Bobby Cole

    Bobby Cole Supreme Member
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    On one hand we can say that awareness is at first instinctual like the newly born suckling the mother which requires little knowledge other than what instinct calls for.

    On the other hand, theoretically each molecule of DNA carries with it past memories of those in our genetic line so one could say that our primary awareness actually comes from past memories and isn’t instinctual at all.

    Further on, when we first saw a certain color and found out what color that was, it was committed to memory so for the sake of argument, in the case cited, awareness came first.

    And lastly, a person can be totally asleep but the brain will still memorize facts. That would mean that the brain is always aware of anything that needs to be processed and placed into memory albeit if there is nothing to connect that memory with, it will not be placed into long term memory.

    Note: As proof that one must be aware before having the ability to memorize, I had a teacher whose ability to swing a ruler made sure that everyone was aware enough to memorize.
     
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  3. Cody Fousnaugh

    Cody Fousnaugh Supreme Member
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    Many times, "memorization" for us. I still remember farm equipment used on the family farm and what other farmers around us used. Also, I remember the breed of hogs we had. Now, being this "memory" thing is from the mid-to-late 60's, that's not bad.

    As far as "awareness" goes, I'm always deleting some e-mail that appears to be bad. Have had a virus get into my computer before, had to reformat the entire hard drive and put all programs back in.
     
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  4. Beth Gallagher

    Beth Gallagher Supreme Member
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    "Do We Have Knowledge Because Of Memorization Or Awareness?"

    Both. We memorize some things, and once taught the basics should have the tools to learn via "awareness" and simple observation. I observed my mother making biscuits, and now I have the knowledge to make them myself.


    Once we learn to read, that opens up a whole new world of awareness particularly in this age of technology.
     
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  5. Ken Anderson

    Ken Anderson Senior Staff
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    Good point, @Lon Tanner. When I was teaching EMTs and paramedics, some students would memorize the protocols and treatment algorithms, while I would encourage them to understand the process of the disease or trauma so that the algorithms and treatment protocols would make sense to them. Those who could do that would be able to handle the problems that might come up that were not specifically covered.
     
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  6. John Brunner

    John Brunner Senior Staff
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    Some things you learn by experience and then expand upon by formal education; for example, my brother could tear down and rebuild an engine at an early age, but reading manuals later on built upon his experiential knowledge.

    Some things you learn by formal education and then expand upon by experience. Examples of this might be electronic tech, lawyers, accountants, doctors, etc.

    Of course, there are things you might do all your life and never read a book on it (like logging), while there are things you may learn from a book and never experience first hand (like the Great Wall of China.)

    As @Ken Anderson said, much of real understanding occurs by having a context, which provides reinforcement. Someone who learns how Topeka became the capital of Kansas is more likely to have a context (and to forever retain this fact) than someone who merely learned it by rote (and may forget.)
     
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  7. Trevalius Guyus

    Trevalius Guyus Veteran Member
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  8. Jeff Elohim

    Jeff Elohim Very Well-Known Member
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  9. Faye Fox

    Faye Fox Veteran Member
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    The reason people have knowledge varies. Just like a small child that sits down at a piano and composes a complex composition. Is this memorization or awareness or neither? Is this even knowledge? To answer Lon's question we must first agree on what knowledge is.

    Example

    I can ask you all what is the formula for determining the ratio for matching a plate modulation transformer needed to connect a modulator to a class C RF final and you can look it up and answer correctly. Maybe some remember the formula from using it in the past and more rarely is the one that can devise the formula because they understand what factors the formula is based on.

    Knowledge comes in all degrees and IQ tests have failed miserably in attempting to measure knowledge. Knowledge is the absents of ignorance is all I can say for certain, but then we must agree on what ignorance is. Maybe the saying, "Ignorance is bliss" came from a very knowledgeable person.
     
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  10. Von Jones

    Von Jones Supreme Member
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    Awareness is not getting the props that it deserves. To me awareness comes first leading to becoming knowledgeable. Memorization comes after obtaining knowledge.
     
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  11. Faye Fox

    Faye Fox Veteran Member
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    Yes, the caveman sees hot coals from the jungle fire, the caveman touches the coals, and the caveman remembers and never does it again. He could have gotten this knowledge from the cavewoman that had mother's instinct, but alas he wasn't listening as he was too busy trying to roll the square rock.
     
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  12. Silvia Benoit

    Silvia Benoit Veteran Member
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    Tanner,

    Thank you for "kind of using" my thread on World's capitals to start this one. :)
    We learn in many ways......We are visual, aural, verbal, physical learners as well as logical and social ones. BTW, don't forget we also acquire knowledge in the "solitary way". Ciao.
     
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  13. Hal Pollner

    Hal Pollner Veteran Member
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    Yes, but does this apply to Nebraska?
     
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  14. Lon Tanner

    Lon Tanner Supreme Member
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    Ha Ha Omaha
     
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  15. Silvia Benoit

    Silvia Benoit Veteran Member
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    Try "" Lincoln"".
     
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