Does "making a knowledge claim" carry any particular obligation / responsibility for the knower?

The majority of our learning takes place in educational institutions and our knowledge is acquired from teachers. Teachers are also highly respected and their knowledge claims are therefore highly influential. Though in certain subject areas, knowledge can be attained through logic and reason (such as mathematics), other subject areas can not. In history and biology, for example, the student depends on the teacher's accountability. Students lack the incentive to verify every knowledge claim and will not question the teacher's stance on the polarity of water or the Austrian heir to the throne. A teacher's false claim will have serious consequences and teachers should therefore take responsibility for their claims.

Education systems today rely heavily on language, as opposed to hands-on or visual demonstrations. Whorf and Sapir's theory of Linguistic Determinism states that knowledge is determined by language. For example, Navajos have precise words for different shape and consequently, they have a stronger sense of shape. Similarly, the diction of a teacher's knowledge claim will have serious implications on the students' learning. "Austen uses their conversation to criticize Marianne's impulsiveness" would have a very different impression on students as opposed to "Austen hated impulsive people". Therefore, teachers must take responsibility for the diction of their knowledge claims.

"Learning" is generally thought of as limited to educational institutions, but much learning takes place in adulthood as well. Esteemed individuals in society often have the power to influence the general public and any knowledge claims they make will be influential. In Europe, Hitler's numerous claims concerning Germany's superiority aroused millions to support him. The destruction and causality that his knowledge claims directly or indirectly caused in World War II are horrendous and indisputable. In China, Chairman Mao's knowledge claims brainwashed millions of young Chinese to join the Red Army. Consequences of Mao's knowledge claims during the Cultural Revolution are also apparent. Both Hitler and Mao were highly influential leaders who are responsible for their knowledge claims. Hence, leaders should take precaution in their knowledge claims and statements for they are responsible for their claims. Naturally, knowledge claims of leaders can be beneficial to vast populations, and leaders can treat their responsibility as an opportunity positively influence people rather than a burden.

The consequences and implications of knowledge claims are indisputable, and therefore the people whom make knowledge claims should take responsibility for them. Since learning takes place throughout our lives, the people who teach us in all stages should take responsibility for their knowledge claims. Though parents, teachers, and respected individuals are heavily liable for their claims, they are not the only ones who must take the burden. Every person we interact with will influence us, and therefore, all knowledge claims must be taken responsibility for by the knower.

Lillian Gu

3 May 2007