“Labels are a necessity in the organization of knowledge but they also constrain our
understanding”
Word Count: 1574
, “Labels are a necessity in the organization of knowledge, but they also constrain our
understanding.” We must first elucidate the key terms of ‘labels’, ‘knowledge’, and
‘understanding’, in order to fully comprehend this statement. Then we can proceed to investigate
if labels are necessary or not, to organize knowledge, and whether or not, they actually serve to
constrain our understanding of knowledge. Labels are initially used to classify a person or thing,
then subsequently group into further categories. On the one hand, we can state that while labels
are helpful to organize our knowledge, they can also be limiting and constraining. The labeling
theory, primarily developed by Howard Becker during the 1960s, is evidence of the power of
labels, because as he states, "...people come to identify and behave in ways that reflect how
others label them" (Ashley Crossman). Knowledge is the collection of facts and information,
whereas understanding is a psychological process to comprehend something. Additionally,
knowledge can be divided into two areas: personal knowledge and shared knowledge. Personal
knowledge is acquired through individual experiences, whereas shared knowledge is
communicated within a group or community. Knowledge, a label in itself, can also be
constrained by the very labeling of facts as they inhibit people into preconceived perceptions and
interpretations. The necessity of labels in the organization of knowledge and how they may
constrain our understanding will be examined within two areas of knowledge, Visual Arts and
History.
1
understanding”
Word Count: 1574
, “Labels are a necessity in the organization of knowledge, but they also constrain our
understanding.” We must first elucidate the key terms of ‘labels’, ‘knowledge’, and
‘understanding’, in order to fully comprehend this statement. Then we can proceed to investigate
if labels are necessary or not, to organize knowledge, and whether or not, they actually serve to
constrain our understanding of knowledge. Labels are initially used to classify a person or thing,
then subsequently group into further categories. On the one hand, we can state that while labels
are helpful to organize our knowledge, they can also be limiting and constraining. The labeling
theory, primarily developed by Howard Becker during the 1960s, is evidence of the power of
labels, because as he states, "...people come to identify and behave in ways that reflect how
others label them" (Ashley Crossman). Knowledge is the collection of facts and information,
whereas understanding is a psychological process to comprehend something. Additionally,
knowledge can be divided into two areas: personal knowledge and shared knowledge. Personal
knowledge is acquired through individual experiences, whereas shared knowledge is
communicated within a group or community. Knowledge, a label in itself, can also be
constrained by the very labeling of facts as they inhibit people into preconceived perceptions and
interpretations. The necessity of labels in the organization of knowledge and how they may
constrain our understanding will be examined within two areas of knowledge, Visual Arts and
History.
1
