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Background reading material for Yr 1 Semester 1 PPSD session on 10th August 2008 by Professor Omar Hasan Kasule Sr.
LIMITED KNOWLEDGE
Human knowledge in all spheres and disciplines of knowledge is limited. Humans know some things and not others. Humans do not normally reach the full capacity of knowledge because of other limitations. One of these limitations is failure to exert themselves to the maximum in the search for knowledge.
LIMITATIONS OF HUMAN SENSES
Human senses can be easily deceived. Human vision is limited. Human senses of hearing, smelling, tasting are relatively insensitive and some animals have more acute senses.
LIMITATIONS OF HUMAN INTELLECT
Human intellect has limitations in interpreting correct sensory perceptions. There are basic limitations in the neurochemical functions in the brain. Humans also have a limited data-base of prior knowledge to be able to interpret all new knowledge correctly.
LIMITATIONS OF HUMAN KNOWLEDGE: THE UNSEEN
Types of the Unseen: Humans cannot know the unseen. The unseen can be absolute or relative. The absolute, such as the day of death is known only by the Creator. Humans have no access to absolute unseen except through revelations. The relative unseen can be known by some people in favorable time and space circumstances and not others or can be known if special and appropriate instrumentation is used. The whole purpose of scientific research is to roll back the field of the relative seen. The relative unseen can be contemporaneous, i.e. things that exist at the moment but which are unknown. It may be in past or historical events. It can be in the future.
The Past and the Future: Humans can operate in limited time frames. The past and the future are unknowable with certainty. Both are part of the unseen. The only true and valid source of knowledge about the past is revelation.
LIMITATIONS OF HUMAN KNOWLEDGE: CHANGES & TRANSITIONS
Speed: Humans operate in a limited speed frame at both the conceptual and sensory levels. Ideas cannot be digested and processed if they are generated too slowly or too quickly. Humans cannot visually perceive very slow or very rapid events. Very slow events like the revolution of the earth or its rotation are perceived as if they are not happening.
Change of Matter-Energy: Modern physics has discovered that matter and energy are interchangeable. One form of matter can change into another form just as one form or energy can change into another.
OTHER LIMITATIONS OF HUMAN KNOWLEDGE
Retention of Knowledge: Human memory is limited. Knowledge acquired decays or may be lost altogether. Humans would have been more knowledgeable if they had perfect memory.
Distortion of Knowledge: Knowledge may be distorted by the processes of its acquisition. Human senses and intellect are limited and may therefore lead to distorted knowledge. Knowledge may also be distorted by personal whims.