We See and Understand Things not as They Are but as We Are Essay

We See and Understand Things not as They Are but as We Are - Essay Example   Descartes believes that knowledge is a conviction based on reason so strong that it cannot be shaken by any stronger reason (Newman, 2005). We all claim to know many things. For instance, we know when we are happy or sad, when we are not well or when we are lonely. We know when we love someone or hate someone. Rarely do we pause to analyze how this knowledge has come about. We take these for granted and we also believe that we know these things. We see and understand things not as they are but as we are. Only when we ask ourselves whether we really know these things do we get down to examining the knowing. This knowing takes place through different means. We see and understand through emotions, perception, and reason. Reasoning has been used by most philosophers to arrive at the truth and is an important way of learning according to the TOK. The reasoning is not through logic; it is not automatic but comes through experience. However, reason does allow analyzing the situation deeply and taking decisions. The reasoning is a collective endeavor by which people construct meaning together by exchanging, modifying and improving their ideas and opinions (IBO, 2006). The reason is present in everyday decision making and problem-solving. When disputes arise, the appropriateness of the reasons for acceptance of the facts is important. The reasoning is the ‘common sense’ way of knowing things and it does not depend upon the limits of sensory observation (Ehman, n.d.). This faculty of ‘common sense’ has been granted only to human beings which means the power of reasoning rests with human beings. The Foolish Friend is the story of a king who groomed his monkey to be his closest aide, the most trustworthy and natural companion (Ashliman, 2002). One day while taking a stroll in the garden, the king asked the money to ensure that nothing disturbed while he took rest. The money kept strict vigilance and very sincerely too.  Ã‚