Theory of Knowledge for the IB Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Theory of Knowledge for the IB - Essay Example The second definition goes beyond the original reason for the invention of machines. Instead of just aiding us in our daily tasks by being "extensions" of our bodies in performing their tasks, machines, especially since the time when a machine called computers are invented, become performers of tasks independently of its user. As long as its actions are programmed in such a way that it can now perform tasks without the presence or the real-time control of humans. They have become very sophisticated that they can surpass what we can do. Mechanical cranes can lift manifold times the maximum weight that the strongest living human can. Assembly line robots can accomplish a task way beyond a team of fastest human workers of that particular job. And, in 1997, a supercomputer named Deep Blue defeated the then world chess champion, Garry Kasparov. The power of machines exponentially increases our capacity to produce goods and services. It is understandable that they can outshine our mechanical abilities. But in terms of our mental faculties, machines such as Deep Blue has been programmed to outsmart our rational faculties. This presents a question that we are to resolve in this paper. Can a machine know Before going further, we must first define what the verb "to know" means. In English this word has several definitions. In the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (Fourth Edition) " know" has eight definitions: "1. To perceive directly; grasp in the mind with clarity or certainty. 2. To regard as true beyond doubt. 3. To have a practical understanding of, as through experience; be skilled in 4. To have fixed in the mind: 5. To have experience of: 6a. To perceive as familiar; recognize: b. To be acquainted with: 7. To be able to distinguish; recognize as distinct: knows right from wrong. 8. To discern the character or nature of:" The definitions above give us different aspects of the word "know." By these we can say that "knowing" something starts when we perceive a thing by our senses, processing this acquired information to a point that we become acquainted with those things and ends up with the capability of the "knowing" person to distinctly distinguish or recognize that thing from others. The emergence of the Information Age has introduced machines that can "think" independently. They, such as supercomputers, can grasp and process data at astounding speeds. In a fraction of a second, they can perform mathematical operations that a human can do in hours or even years. With this capacity, they can really perform rational activities, at least to a certain extent. But can we say that this supercomputer's ability to process data is already an act of knowing given the definition of "know" above For me, I believe that machines cannot fully know. They may perform mental tasks of humans with rapidity and precision way above that of humans. But still they cannot totally know things as per defined by dictionaries. If we use the definitions above, they fall short of thoroughly knowing something. To prove this, let us consider the first definition "To perceive directly, grasp in the mind with clarity or certainty." Computers are designed to perceive and grasp data to help us in our tasks. Word processing programs, for example, are created for us to write a letters and other documents in a precise and neat manner. It can receive data coming

Women throughout American History Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Women throughout American History - Essay Example Perhaps the most essential, women fought for and to a large extent realized a reassessment of conventional notions of their duties in society. In addition, women in America were perceived to be second class citizens and in a number of occasions to be used and owned by members of the male population. Even though these views still persist in several regions in the world, women have accomplished tremendous progress with regard to equal rights. These civil rights were most notably established in the 19th and 20th centuries with noteworthy laws, for example, the Married Women’s Property Laws enacted during the 19th century and the 19th Amendment. The most significant accomplishment was realized in the 1920 elections when a large number of American women were allowed to exercise their rights to vote for the initial time. It took tremendous efforts of activists and reformers and approximately a century to win this right. Even though the consequences were astounding, the campaign was extremely demanding. Nevertheless, in the final part of 1920, the 19th Amendment of the constitution was formally approved, incorporating American women and for the first time asserting that like men, women, ought to have all rights and responsibilities that is associated with being an American citizen (Hemming and Savage 48). This paper will look at how women have suffered for numerous years, but the efforts they have put in have shown throughout history. From the early periods women have been specifically perceived as an innovative source of human existence. However, historically, women in America have been regarded both as a major source of evil and temptation, and mentally mediocre to their male counterparts. In contrast, the attitude towards members of the female population in the Eastern part of the world was initially extra approving. For instance, in ancient India, women were not denied of individual freedoms or property rights by marriage. Nevertheless, in America, children of the male gender were considered to be of significance than female children. On the other hand, when women were allowed intellectual and individual freedom, they made tremendous realizations. In the middle periods nuns played a significant part in Europe’s religious life. In America, women made significant contributions towards the fight for education for American women (Rosenbloom 37). Emma Willard established the Troy Female Seminary in 1821. This was the foremost American educational institution to give females a college education identical to that offered to men. Also, in 1841, Oberlin College was the institution that gave the bachelor’s degree to the first three women, Mary Caroline Rudd, Elizabeth Smith Prall, Mary Hosford, in America, and in 1862 it gave a degree to Mary Jane Patterson, an African America woman. Women in America were for a long time perceived as biologically inferior to men, delicate, and not able to engage in activities needing intellectual or muscular development. In preindustrial America, domestic activities were left for women and females, leaving what were considered as significant activities, for example, plowing and hunting to men. This did not take notice of activities, for example, taking care of children, washing clothes, and milking cows which needed sustained, burdensome labor. Also, the American community regarded the natural biological responsibility of women as their foremost social responsibility as well. This made middle-class children to learn from their mother’s example that caring for children, cleaning, and cooking was the responsibilities required of her when she became an adult