Definition of Terms: Knowledge (Part 9)

Excerpt from, “From social justice warrior to Gospel-centered servant of God: An educator’s reflection on critical theory and Christianity” (Linkletter, 2021).

Knowledge can be defined as: “The circumstance or condition of apprehending truth or fact through reasoning,” and, “the sum of what is known : the body of truth, information, and principles acquired by humankind” (Merriam-Webster, n.d.).

There are three different types of knowledge:

1) knowledge by acquaintance,

2) know-how knowledge,

3) and knowledge by description (propositional knowledge).

Knowledge by acquaintance is when we know something because the object of knowledge is “directly present to one’s consciousness”. For example, we know the ball is in front of us because we can see the ball.

Knowledge by know-how refers to “the ability or skill to behave in a certain way and perform some task or set of behaviors” For example, we can know how to speak a language or throw a ball. This kind of knowledge does not always require our conscious awareness, it is often developed over time from repeated practice.

Finally, knowledge by description (propositional knowledge) is knowing something because it is the “content of a sentence or statement” (Moreland & Craig, 2003, pp. 72-73).

The nature of knowledge will be discussed later in this research paper in more detail and various sources will be analyzed to explain how critical theory values knowledge.

Rebecca

References

Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Knowledge. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved June 25, 2021, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/knowledge.

Moreland, J. P., & Craig, W. L. (2003). Philosophical foundations for a Christian worldview. InterVarsity Press.