5.2 Different paths to knowledge
5.2.1 What is knowing?

In this part of the lesson, you will learn about the method of producing scientific knowledge and you will see how to distinguish science from other kinds of knowledge-gathering, including science journalism.

It is entirely legitimate at this point to wonder how to grasp what is this thing called science, where it begins, and where it stops.

Science begins with: "I want to know"

To "know" is so natural and so straightforward that trying to define what it means may look strange. In fact, explaining what we mean by to "know" can be extremely complex since it can have many meanings.

If we listed all the synonyms, we would see that to "know" can mean to have knowledge, understand, read or see, feel, evaluate, recognize, consider, analyze, practice or master.

To "know" someone means that we have met the person (in person or through its achievements), that we can recognize that person within a group, and that we are aware of her existence. But to really know someone, you have to know them intimately, to the extent that you can predict their behaviour and reactions as well as understand them enough to explain their personality to others.

To "know" an object, fact, or phenomenon, means that you can describe it visually and virtually, explain how it interacts with other objects around it, and tell how it influences its environment and is influenced in return.

Within the context of science, to "know" means to exercise curiosity, to observe and collect sufficient information and intelligence to identify, distinguish and describe the different features of reality in a most truthful way. This reality can be real, virtual, concrete, natural, artificial, abstract, physical or metaphysical.

And exercising curiosity produces knowledge.

Most often, knowledge makes it possible to use reason and eventually develop rational arguments.


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