Theory of Knowledge

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Theory of Knowledge: Understanding Memory
Abstract
The Theory of Knowledge explains how people acquire knowledge by considering what it entails in the differing knowledge claims. Understanding how people gain knowledge and recall requires a deep examination of the different ways in which information is acquired, processed and then retained. In essence, the ability to memorize a concept or an event depends on different aspects of knowledge. Essentially, memory is employed to enhance the knowledge acquired, which means it is not the primary way of knowledge- there are other ways that are used to provide individuals with initial knowledge and, thereafter, employ the concept of memory. Based on this assertion, this paper tries to explain the concept of memory by examining the dynamics involved in a person’s ability to remember past events. The paper argues for and against the fact that the process of learning is integral in memorizing past events by providing insights into the two sides of the assertion.
Key Words: Theory of Knowledge, Memory, Learning
Introduction
Understanding the human brain is not easy, especially when it comes to the storing and processing of information. Ideally, people encounter events and come across information on a daily basis. However, it is hard to understand how people tend to remember some part of the information they come across while forgetting the rest of other information on a daily basis.

According to Paul Reber, a Professor of Psychology at Northwestern University, and his associates (Elizabeth Buffalo and Larry Squire), there is no limit to the amount of information a human being can remember because the brain can store around 2, 500, 000 Gigabytes of information (Buffalo et al. 333). Despite this huge storage capacity, people still forget. In this regard, people have different explanations of their ability to have a memory of past events. Some believe that having to remember the events of learning the information stored in our brain contributes to us having a memory of the past events while others disagree. Therefore, this paper explains the two positions- why two different people can have two different perspectives on how they remember past events.
Argument For
Some people believe that in order to have a memory of the fact that we learned in the past, we have to remember the events of learning it. The major explanation to this is the connection of neurons in the human brains. According to this argument, the human brain contains roughly one billion neurons where every neuron forms around 1, 000 connections to the other neurons in the brain, amounting to numerous, over a trillion, connections. Further, the neurons are responsible for the remembering events because they combine to help with memories at given times (Buffalo et al. 337). In short, what this theory explains is that we are more likely to have a memory of a past event if we understand it or make an active effort to have a full comprehension of the event, and if we have a regular encounter. Understanding the past events and having regular encounters simply strengthens the neuron connections in the brain making it easier to recall or have a memory of past events. Part of understanding the event is remembering the events of learning it, the reasons why the events occur and most importantly, having a full comprehension of how the event took place. Therefore, the neuron connection explains why some people believe that having a memory of past events is attached to understanding the process, or events of learning it.
Argument Against
On the other hand, some people do not believe in the connection between having a memory of past events and the events of leaning it. Instead, they believe in the physical changes that occur in the brain when storing information and subsequently help in remembering events. Ideally, the brain functions as any other part of the human body such as the muscles and the heart. According to scientists, modern imaging techniques such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) have helped in understanding the structural changes that occur to the brain once a person acquires new information. For instance, when taxi drivers learn about new routes, there is a long-lasting structural change in the brain in terms of white and grey matter which makes the information stick. One does not need to understand the process of acquiring the information of the events surrounding its acquisition to remember the information; the changes have already been made to the brain making the information part of the brain with just a few triggering need in those specific areas of a person’s brain to recall the events.
Conclusion
Conclusively, how people remember events is different because of the different perspectives about some areas of knowledge and ways of knowledge generation. It is true people have their way of recalling events, but all this depends on two discussed perspectives. Therefore, for the purposes of understanding theories of knowledge, understanding how people recall or have a memory of events is important.
Work Cited
Buffalo, Elizabeth A., Paul J. Reber, and Larry R. Squire. “The human perirhinal cortex and recognition memory.” Hippocampus 8.4 (1998): 330-339.