Thesis (MPhil (Information Science))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / This thesis explores phenomena surrounding the creation of knowledge, employing a multidisciplinary
approach.
To start with a view on the physical location of knowledge is discussed. This helps highlight the
problem of defining knowledge and simultaneously introduces a set of fundamental and conceptual
questions about the phenomena surrounding the creation of knowledge . The set of questions are then
focussed on the process of knowledge creation.
The investigation starts in the field of archaeology, in particular at the dawn of modern civilisation,
with views on the earliest forms of knowledge creation. From there the investigation moves on to
aspects of contemporary neurology. This allows for a comparison between humans from the ancient
past with humans of today thereby identifying a neurological link between these periods.
Based on current research within the field of behavioural neurology it is posed that knowledge creation
is a process initiated by the impact of electromagnetic fields on the brain. A review of the medical
research within the neurological sciences on the effects of electromagnetic field stimulation shows it to
be effective as a treatment modality, a behavioural modifier, a suppressor and facilitator of cognition,
as well as a sensory modulator.
The interaction of the brain with electromagnetic fields is shown as a form of transduction similar to
that of regular sensory transduction. Since the transduction of electromagnetic stimuli can functionally
modulate sensory reception, cognition, behaviour and some neurological conditions, the creation of
sensory perception, cognition, behaviour and neurological conditions (all phenomena surrounding
knowledge creation) can be shown as functionally dependant on the electro-chemical process of
ferromagnetic transduction (magneto reception). The ferromagnetic transduction model may then be
seen as the sensory mechanism that initiates and modulates the process of knowledge creation. The
modulation of this process is revealed cognitively in savants, behaviourally in some of the greatest
thinkers in history and on a planetary scale as a force of nature. The implications of these findings is
that if the keys to the creation of knowledge have been found, great care needs to be taken when
deciding to implement any type of artificial or natural modulation to neural firing rates not only
because of the total effect modulation can have on the individual but also because of the social
consequences resulting from those who wish to socially discriminate according to the ability of and
beliefs arising from the knowledge creating process.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/2716 |
| Date | 12 1900 |
| Creators | Christie, Warren James Alexander |
| Contributors | Kinghorn, J., Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Information Science. |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Rights | Stellenbosch University |
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