All his long path of existence and development, man was inclined to research, studies, discoveries. He did a lot to simplify his life, put a lot of effort to reveal the meaning of his existence, any patterns and causes of natural phenomena.
The essence of the phenomenon
The concept of cognition is interpreted quite widely. In the most general sense, it is understood as a process or a whole set of mechanisms that help us study the world, accumulate objective data about it, and also reveal various kinds of patterns. It is difficult to overestimate the role of this phenomenon. Because it was thanks to him that people achieved the technological, medical, technical and other successes that we can now observe. About this concept we are quite widely told by social science. Types of cognition, form, its tasks - all this we can learn at school. However, a science that is specifically dedicated to the study of this aspect is called epistemology. And it is part of the philosophy section.
What is it?
The process of cognition is very complex, multifaceted. It is quite problematic to describe, or set out in simple forms. It follows that it is first necessary to understand the complex structure of this aspect of our life, and then determine its purpose and significance for the whole civilization. In a broad sense, the concept of knowledge weakly reflects the whole essence of the process. Therefore, it is necessary to clearly distinguish its structure.
What does it happen?
Earlier, giving a definition, we talked about the fact that cognition is a multifaceted mechanism. This is not one single process, but a whole system that is closely interconnected with other important elements. In order not to go too deep into philosophical terminology and science, we will build on the course and recommendations that the subject gives us - social science. Types of cognition and forms of cognition are quite often used, implying the same meaning - a set of techniques and methods by which the process under study occurs. Let's talk in more detail about each of them.
Household
Many scientists do not distinguish this form of knowledge in a separate category. However, it should be noted that the knowledge of life without an everyday, everyday level is almost impossible. This species does not require serious study. There is no need for his close study, as well as the use of special tools. For example, to understand that fire has a high temperature, it is enough to get burned. You will not have any measuring instruments, but you can say with accuracy: the flame is very hot.
Thus, the domestic process of cognition is extremely inaccurate. It gives only approximate answers to our questions. However, it is quickly accepted. This mechanism is visual and does not require a lot of time for development. We encounter this form of knowledge more often in our everyday life. As a rule, the older we are, the more knowledge we will accumulate through this species. But history knows many exceptions.
Scientific social cognition
It is also called the scientific method. This is the most accurate, but also time-consuming method of cognition. It does not require you to display artistic qualities, but only a love of accuracy and study. This method is used by all academic disciplines, including social studies. Types of cognition as a whole, one way or another, but rely on this type. Indeed, with its help it is possible to decipher simpler knowledge, which will make them much more useful.
This form is also quite diverse. For example, there is scientific, social knowledge. It is aimed at the study of society, associations of people, social groups and much more. All scientific methods are divided into two types - theoretical scientific knowledge and empirical. The first puts forward assumptions, checks it for compliance with already real knowledge, builds models and entire systems. The practical method verifies the reality of hypotheses through experiments, observation, and also makes adjustments to hypothetical views.
Empirical knowledge can also reveal new phenomena, which will then be the subject of close attention of theorists. Although this form of cognition has found the greatest number of adherents, it cannot do without its constructive criticism, which, I must say, is quite appropriate. So, some scientists point out that new knowledge is anomalies. Science, having discovered any, in its opinion, unnatural phenomenon, begins to prove its existence in the present system of worldview. Attempts to identify its laws, as well as why it does not fit into the framework of existing theories.
Often, such anomalies are completely contrary to the prevailing opinion. Remember Copernicus or other scientists trying to prove revolutionary hypotheses. They discovered such anomalies and tried to know them, as a result of which the knowledge already accumulated seemed to them incorrect. So, before people did not believe that the Earth has a spherical shape, or that all the planets revolve around the Sun. History knows many such examples - Einstein, Galileo, Magellan, etc.
Artistic
Some may argue that this type includes social and humanitarian knowledge. But this is not so. This form is the brightest. It is the simplest and at the same time the most complex. Suppose, several thousand years ago, people only began to study writing, and before that they used only drawings to convey information. They described natural phenomena by transmitting its visual image to a medium (stone, for example). This greatly simplified intergenerational interactions to transfer experience.
In the future, people began to develop and invent languages to provide more accessible communication, exchange of information. Symbols, pictures, images - all this looks quite simple only at the initial stage. Take a look at artwork now. In order to understand the meaning that the authors want to convey to us, to know something, it is necessary to make an effort, to understand what has been seen or read, to understand how the author expresses his thoughts.
I must say that this form significantly distinguishes us from many animals, but even more significantly from each other. Nowadays, people can easily be divided into those who are trying to portray things by passing them through the prism of their inner world, and those who see everything as they are. That is why the art form is incredibly important, useful and complex, but it can never be objective. This is the main problem of this type of knowledge. After all, it pursues the goal of identifying and accumulating objective knowledge, and not subjective visions. Nevertheless, this form is used quite often. She also made a huge contribution to the development of our civilization.
Philosophical
Philosophical knowledge is incredibly valuable both for the world that existed several centuries ago, and for you and me. Only through philosophical knowledge can one go beyond reality, being. It was the philosophers who began to hypothesize the structure of our world and even the universe. They talked about our body, thinking, the characteristic features of all people even before the ways of studying all these aspects were invented.
Philosophical knowledge is usually divided into two types - epistemological (or general) and ontological. The second type is based on the study of essence and being, and from all sides - real, mental, subjective, objective, etc. It is noteworthy that through this type of cognition people not only determined the world around them, found their place in it, but also showed what this place should be.
Philosophy often strives for idealization, so this kind of cognition, rather, answers the questions: "How is it, how should it be?" Again, in fairly general terms. Such general forms are given to us by social science, the types of knowledge in which are not fully disclosed so as not to cross the boundaries of philosophy.
Steps
In addition to species, cognition levels are also distinguished. Sometimes they are classified as forms. But it is more correct to speak of them as steps that are used in all forms. There are only two such levels. But they play an incredibly large role in our lives.
Sensual level
It is built on our senses and completely depends on them. Ever since ancient times, even when the descendants of modern man did not begin to master tools, they were already endowed with feelings. Remember the everyday kind of knowledge. For example, we would not understand that the fire is hot if we could not feel it. Although many speak of the 6 senses, in reality there are more. So, the seventh feeling could be called a sensation of attraction, the so-called gravitational force.
Sensory Level Forms
In general, they distinguish only 3. They unite many senses. These are the following mechanisms:
- Sensation. Able to convey to us some properties of the subject. Due to the uniqueness of each of the senses, we get a “report” on the characteristics of a particular thing, phenomenon, process. On the example of an apple, we can say that with the help of vision we see color, with touch we can determine its softness, temperature, shape, with the help of taste buds - taste.
- Perception. This is a more global form. Through it, we obtain the most complete information, combine everything that was obtained with the help of sensation into an integrated picture. Putting together everything described in the first paragraph, we will understand many important characteristics of the apple.
- Representation. Based on our memory. Allows you to create a sensual image of the subject. For example, think of a lemon, as it is carefully cut into slices, sprinkled with salt. You will immediately feel a surge of saliva in your mouth, as well as a sour taste. The shape of the lemon, its color and other characteristics will pop up in memory. Presentation allows us not to lose the important knowledge that we have gained in life.
Rational level
Levels of knowledge without a final, logical stage would look wrong. Historically, man from the moment of his appearance on the planet knew how to feel. But he learned to think, write, analyze much later. This level is completely built on mental qualities. Therefore, it is incredibly complex and not as visual as sensual. However, its use is extremely high, especially since with the development of modern society, it is the rational level that becomes more in demand. Most of the objects of our planet have already passed through all forms of the sensory level. So, they need to be systematized, written down and certain conclusions made.
Rational forms
There are three types:
- Concept. With the help of sensation, we determined the property, thanks to perception, we made an integral picture, and using this form, we were able to present the knowledge gained. To understand that lemon tastes sour, it is not necessary to try it, just read about it.
- Judgment. It is always directed. For example, the phrase "sour lemon" is a prime example of this form. The judgment is negative or positive. But it is also built on either a concept or perception.
- Output. Comes from the previous form. He sums up everything that we systematized in one answer. So, saying that the lemon is not sweet, not poisonous and has a yellow color, we can draw any conclusion about this subject. There are three types of conclusions: inductive, deductive and by analogy. Remember the tales of Sherlock Holmes. He actively used deduction to draw conclusions using ordinary judgments.
Separately, sometimes intuition is distinguished as a special level of knowledge. True, this phenomenon is still too poorly studied.