Theories of Knowledge

A theory of knowledge has at least the following parts:

• a definition of 'to know';
• a definition of 'knowledge' (i.e., what is known; what is the product of the process of knowing);
• a way of identifying the apparatus of knowing;
• a way of identifying a legitimate product of the process of knowing;
• an understanding of what 'to not know' and 'to know not' mean.

It is possible to blur the distinctions between the act and the actor, or the apparatus which acts, with respect to the idea of knowing; this is what causes people difficulties.

But what I've just said is presented in a form which is supposed to deliver knowledge. You have to know how to interpret the form, medium, or communicated data before it becomes information. You then have to assign significance before the information can be considered knowledge or not-knowledge. How can you learn this?

The whole thing can be a mess. Especially if you have badly-trained people teaching it. I anticipate with some happiness the next round of TOK questions. Ho ho ho.