In areas of knowledge such as the arts and the sciences, do we learn more from works that follows or that breaks with accepted conventions?

        Yet another example of a scientific theory that has broken accepted conventions is the spontaneous generation theory that stated the origin of life was from inanimate matter which does not include seeds or parents. This theory was also said to be the creator of diseases in the human body. This theory was prevalent during the time of Aristotle as he expanded upon the theory from past philosophers. People believed in this theory as it was advocated by the Christian churches and that there was no other theory to challenge it. This theory was finally disproven mainly in the 19th century through experiments conducted by Louis Pasteur. Pasteur’s experiments indicated that microcosms were the actual cause of diseases. Although it was highly controversial when proposed as a theory, it is now the cornerstone of all medical research. This theory broke accepted conventions and has led to many important innovations such as antibiotics and hygienic practices. If spontaneous generation were still an accepted theory, medicinal science would not have progressed as far as it has come today. Not only have humans learned from the immediate experiments of the germ theory, but it had also led to other discoveries and understanding of the human body. Thus, humanity in general has learned more from the breaking of accepted conventions as it has permitted science to progress to a level much beyond where it begun.

        Moreover, in my opinion the arts are another example of how we have learned more from work that has broken accepted conventions. Art is an area of knowledge where creativity and innovation are not only promoted, but also expected. Fashion is an expression of ones self and is considered as an art form. Fashion is constantly changing, from century to century, year to year and even season to season. From example, the general styles and designs used in the 1930’s are not used in today’s fashion. Although fashion has repeated itself many times, the overall styles have changed drastically from previous years. Although the knowledge we gain from the arts are not as clearly seen as from the sciences, the arts also subtly impact society. For example, as fashion is evolving and is breaking accepted conventions almost every day, we can see the progression of society as they are an expression of people’s thoughts and ideas. If fashion does not change, it shows the stagnancy of society’s creativity and thought. Fashion is a way for people to express themselves, and if accepted conventions were not broken, it would put a hold on the flow of ideas which are basically the basis of development. As accepted conventions are broken in the fashion industry, it brings a new age and progression to society as a whole.

        The arts are also seen in a conventional perspective as simple paintings. The most renowned artists have been known for the work that has broken accepted conventions and evoked thought in the audience. From the pre-historic cave paintings to the abstract pieces of work we see today, art has transformed continuously as it has broken accepted conventions. Numerous forms of artistic techniques that were never used or thought of before have come into the mainstream today. Art has been an exploration for new techniques/styled for artists to use in order to fully express themselves. For example, one of the most famous paintings, the Mona Lisa, was painted during the time of the Italian Renaissance when paintings were still created using conventional methods. Although, this has changed as artists today express themselves in a variety of ways while still sticking to the parameters of the canvas. Painters today use a variety of techniques that were never used in previous times, like that of Charles Wooldridge’s invented technique. Wooldridge statistically applied ground pigment and chalk pastel to underpaintings and then varnished them in order to match the color that he wanted which he saw in his visions of his painting. We learn more from works that break accepted traditions as they help us gain knowledge of the world and “…recognize truths we were previously unaware of and reignite our sense of wonder in the world.” (Theory of Knowledge – Richard van de Lagemaat). Thus, breaking accepted conventions in the form of art paintings helps us to gain knowledge of the painter’s perspective on a certain issue while also helping us to identify the realities of life that we had not noticed before.

        In conclusion, it seems that works that break accepted conventions enable humanity to progress. We are able to learn more from these works as they go against what we believe to know and portray a new perspective that was either not thought of or was not proven. Although we do learn from works that follow accepted conventions as it reinforces our beliefs in that subject. The arts and the sciences are two very different forms of communicating ideas, although they both attempt to make sense of the world which gives the observer different perspectives of sometimes a similar situation. Thus, the arts and the sciences are complimentary areas of knowledge as arts give an inside look into a subject, while the sciences provide an outside look. Accepted conventions are meant to and should be broken in order for the progression of society.