knowledge question developed by investigating different perspectives and
linked to the area of knowledge of Ethics and the way of knowing of
Reason.
Imagination is more important than knowledge?
When we are asked to make an ethical decision we must consider different aspects of our actions and behaviour in order to respect ethical principles.
1. You must believe that what you are saying or doing and be prepared to justify it (conflict of self interest).
2. The interest of someone other than you must be involved (Capitalism).
3. You must act of your own free will.
4. Your actions must be deliberate (The universal law theory)
But how do we answer our question?
Well, there are many ways of knowing, one of them being reason which happens to be the focus of today.
Reason,
allows us to assess the outcomes of our actions, and arrive at an
objective judgement about moral behaviour. This works regardless of any
desires or emotions caught up in a case, and can help to establish a
solid framework for formulating a moral code.
One must believe in what he is saying, It is necessary to believe in the form of knowledge you perceive to be right. one could say that imagination creates his understanding of certain concepts. Someone else could state that knowledge is the basis to his imagination as it allows to apply what he understands to create and elaborate new concepts. the true enigma here is to truly stick by what you believe and have a clear stance in order to make your own ethical decisions based on reason.
Much has been said about "truth". Its hard to imagine that truth is eternal, "A true statement is true, was true, and always will be true" but to whom?
Whats true to you may be false to someone else. If you believe imagination is more important than Knowledge, to someone who thinks otherwise, this may be completely false. Everything is relative, relative to human understanding. there is only so much one can justify, and how can you explain to someone who believes differently that you what is true or what is false, if the statement is relatively true, to both you and the other person.
How can you justify your ethical choice using reason?
1. Through logic: Logic is the basis of our common knowledge/imagination
2. Empirical evidence (a.k.a. human senses): Most of what you perceive everyday, apart from inner thought, is through the use of your senses.
3. Memory: Memory is very fickle but in taking an ethical decision, memory is what hints to you what you know already in order to justify your actions.
Now that you know what to keep in mind when making a decision, how would you justify what you believe. Is Imagination More Important Than Knowledge?
