GARCE, JOBERT S. BSA 4-5 CHAPTER III- Nature of Knowledge Knowledge -are termed by ideas and thoughts that are true. Facts and principles at which the mind arrives by observation, induction, and deduction, and which it organizes into a system, constitute Scientific Knowledge, or Science. The sciences that begin with perceptions, are termed Empirical Sciences, as Botany and Chemistry. The sciences that start with consciousness, are termed Rational Sciences, as Psychology. A. Species of Knowledge Matter and Mind -two species of “Being” known to man. Classification of all sciences into 3 or 4 comprehensive species. 1. Mathematical Sciences 2. Natural Sciences 3. Mental Sciences Philosophy -synthesis of sciences into a system of ultimate generalizations. Mathematics Geometry -science of form and extension. Trigonometry -is the practical application of geometry. Arithmetic -the science of numbers. Algebra -the general science of quantity. Calculus -is a highly developed form of algebra. Natural Sciences Physical Sciences -presence of various physical forces. Physics, or Natural Philosophy -the science of molecular forces. Chemistry -the science of atomic forces. Mineralogy -The science of the properties and formation of minerals. Geology -the science of the formation of the earth. Astronomy -the science of the heavenly bodies. Biological Sciences -the presence of various life - forces in organized beings. Botany -the science of plant-life. Zoology -the science of animal-life. Physiology -the science of the physical life of man. Geography -the science of the earth as man’s habitat. Mental Sciences -the presence of mind in living, organized beings. Intellect -is the subject of several sciences. Psychology- the science of the phenomena of consciousness. Logic- the science of formal reasoning. Feeling -As “truth” is the end of intellect, so is propriety” the heart’s chief object. Will -is the determinative element in several sciences. History -the science of events. 2 Departments of History Chronology and Philosophy of History Ethics or Moral Philosophy -the science of morality. Language -is the product of the whole mind rather than of intellect, feeling, or will. The Direct Relation of Ideas -comparison of ideas follows ideation and is termed Judgment. Difference- the opposite, or negative relation. Syllogism -the derivation of a judgment from the relation of two judgments, follows simple judgment, and is the final process of science. The introductory syllogism of science is inductive. This process is a transition from individuals to the genus. The ultimate syllogism is deductive. This is a passage from the genus to its individuals C. Courses of Studies Correlation In the section on “Species of Knowledge” the attention of the reader was called to the interdependence of the sciences. Concentration Some branches can be studied to advantage at earlier periods in the pupil’s career, and others at later times, and these branches, as educators believe, are also the best means of culture at the time. Utility Although “correlation” and “concentration” of studies should always be the dominant ideas in the construction of courses of study, the needs of life require that programs be somewhat adjusted to meet the demands of our times. Catalogue of Studies The catalogue of studies on page 55 is designed to exhibit the “correlation,” “concentration,” and practical adaptability of studies for pupils of three grades, the grades arising from the degrees of complexity in the studies proposed for the respective grades. Programmes Dr. E. E. White suggests the excellent programme given on page 5 8 for schools of three grades. CHAPTER IV- Principles of Knowledge Principles of Knowledge- the laws according to which knowledge develops in the mind. Ideas and Names - the reader may not know the names of some parts of the pair of scissors on the table before him, and yet be quite familiar with the qualities and uses of those parts. Ideas and Truths- the reader had arriv ed at the ideas of which Rose and plant are the names before he formed the judgment, or thought, that a rose is a plant. Concrete and Abstract Ideas - Our first idea of such qualities as redness, hardness, gratitude, etc., came to us in connection with beings that were red, hard, grateful, etc. Causes, Laws, and Classes -The reader will remember that among the earliest interests of his life was the interest in ca uses, or powers. Order of Facts of Sciences -All sciences (Psychology of the Sciences) are syllogistic processes. The premises, however, do not have the same sources. Order of Principles of Sciences- The great truths of mathematics were known to the ancients. The natural sciences have only lately begun to mature. The relation of the Sciences makes the order just stated a logical necessity. 1) The natural sciences cannot be completely dev eloped without mathematics ‘and; 2) The higher mental sciences presuppose a thorough knowledge of mathematics and natural sciences. Philosophy- Master minds of all ages have tried to arrive at the ultimate principles of the physical and moral universe. Modern philosophy inquiries into the postulates of the various sciences as well as into the principles at which these sciences arrive. Correlation of Sciences- The study of any branch of knowledge both presupposes and leads up to other branches, so that it seems absolutely impossible to isolate any Species of knowledge from any other. Dr. Arnold Tompkins This genetic contact of the various species of knowledge is ably discussed, in his Philosophy of Teaching, and by “The Committee of Fifteen”. ”
