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Theory of Knowledge Essay
4) “The process of gaining knowledge is more valuable than reaching an end result”. Discuss
this claim with reference to two areas of knowledge.
Humans seek knowledge in order to take action to solve various problems, for the purpose of making
the world a better place. To discuss this knowledge claim, it is necessary to define the terms ‘value’,
‘process of gaining knowledge’ and ‘end result’. The value of knowledge is the importance or
emphasis we place on either the end result or the process of gaining knowledge, based on their ability
to provide insight into human nature. The process of gaining knowledge is known as knowledge
acquisition, and different areas of knowledge employ different processes for knowledge acquisition.
The process of gaining knowledge would be explored in the human sciences and history, areas of
knowledge that provide contrasting perspectives on the knowledge issue at hand. The end result
would refer to the product that is the culmination of the knowledge construction process, be it whether
in the form of a theory, model or piece of art.
In the human sciences, reaching an end result is more valuable than the process of gaining knowledge,
as the end result is usually a theory that contributes to a community’s shared knowledge, therefore
most researchers focus on the end result which validates their knowledge claim. For instance, the
Marshmallow Test’s ‘end result’ proved that delayed gratification leads to success,1 as children who
were willing to delay gratification ended up having higher SAT scores, better responses to stress,
better social skills, which are the measures of success by the researchers.2 As this was new knowledge
produced, it contributed to the world’s shared knowledge. Moreover, as it proved how a particular
characteristic in children could lead to future success, it was an insight to human nature and gave way
to new concepts of parenting, causing many parents to change their strategy of parenting.3 One
prominent change from a century ago would be the increasing number of resilience camps being
1
Staub, M. (2016). Controlling Ourselves: Emotional Intelligence, the Marshmallow Test, and the Inheritance
of Race. American Studies, 55(1), 59-80. Retrieved April 13, 2020, from www.jstor.org/stable/44982552
2
Ibid.
3
Ibid.
1
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