Areas of Knowledge and the Knowledge Framework

Helpful prompts:
• What is the area of knowledge about?
• What practical problems can be solved through applying this knowledge?
• What makes this area of knowledge important?
• What are the current open questions in this area—important questions that are currently unanswered?
• Are there ethical considerations that limit the scope of inquiry? If so, what are they?

Scope Applications

Mathematics History
• Mathematics concerned with quantity, shape, • The study of the recorded past
space and change— difficult to define • May help make sense of the present
• Used to create models in the natural and human • Knowledge shared by group to may help allow
sciences for a sense of common heritage.
• Using mathematics tojustify one’s work often • May help society to imagine possible futures .
taken by many to be the sign of intellectual
rigour—for example, in economics or
pyschology
• Possesses qualities such as beauty and
elegance—sometimes thought of as an art
form
• Perhaps universal and not tied to a particular
culture
• Mathematical truths seem to be certain and
timeless

Methodology

Helpful prompts:
• What are the methods or procedures used in this area that helps the AoK generate knowledge?
• What is it about these methods that helps the AoK generate knwoledge?
• What are the assumptions underlying these methods?
• What counts as a fact in this area of knowledge?
• What role do models play in this area of knowledge?
• What ethical thinking constrains the methods used to gain knowledge?

Natural Sciences Art

• Uses empirical observation to support
knowledge claims.
• Uses scientific method (controlling all
variables but one).
• Uses inductive reasoning.
• Uses sense perception, reason, imagination
• Artistic creation is often a result of personal
knowledge and use of imagination, creativity,
reason, intuition.
• Art often requires a (possibly emotional)
interaction with an audience
• Relationship between art and technology and
 (creation of new ideas), intuition.
• Ethical constraints in terms of what knowledge
to pursue (knowledge used for weaponry).
• Assumption that there our universe is
understandable?
• Models are very important tool in most areas
of natural sceinces.
new mediums of expression —new
technologies spawn new art forms, for
example, film, computer art, computer music.
• Different methodology for mimetic arts
(imitation of the real world) and more abstract
or expressionistic art?