Knowledge Archives | National Humanities Center

Knowledge

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Epistemology and Cognition

By Alvin I. Goldman (NHC Fellow, 1981–82) Whatever the target of our effort to know—whether we probe the origin of the cosmos, the fabric of man-made symbols and culture, or simply the layout of our immediate environment—all knowledge is grounded in natural cognitive capacities. Philosophers of knowledge must therefore make use of the science of … Continued

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Knowledge in a Social World

By Alvin I. Goldman (NHC Fellow, 1981–82) A certain conception of social epistemology is articulated and applied to numerous social arenas. This conception retains epistemology's traditional interest in truth and reliable inquiry, but replaces its customary emphasis on solitary knowers with a focus on social institutions and interpersonal practices. Postmodernism, science studies, and pragmatism pose … Continued

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Undisciplining Knowledge: Interdisciplinarity in the Twentieth Century

By Harvey J. Graff (NHC Fellow, 2013–14) Interdisciplinarity―or the interrelationships among distinct fields, disciplines, or branches of knowledge in pursuit of new answers to pressing problems―is one of the most contested topics in higher education today. Some see it as a way to break down the silos of academic departments and foster creative interchange, while … Continued

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Stars

Sitting in a large field in Leakey, Texas at night, I looked up and there were millions and millions of stars around me. I was awe struck about how small a human is, but how much knowledge we obtain.