Massacre in Guyana: apply episteme, phenomena , metaphysics
This assignment aims toward identifying the difference between ‘belief’, and ‘knowing/knowledge.’
How can we be engaged with a philosophical exercise to pay close attention to a phenomena in our time and
space, of an experience which occurred with the voluntary participation of residents of the Bay Area, some from
San Francisco and Oakland. For me it is a horrific experience, and I am uncertain if it will be repeated. For our
task, let us ‘bracket’ this Jim Jones experience to see if we can understand the difference between ‘belief’ and
‘knowledge’. Your written assignment should reflect an appreciation of a distinction and difference within
epistemology: that “belief” is different from “knowing that, or knowing how”; and that knowing equals
“knowledge.” Do this study within the context of these two video clips.
Warning The Jones Jones Massacre is very graphic, and parental supervision may be necessary. Now, view the
two (2) YouTube clips
Part 1
What does The Allegory of the Cave signify to you in one your life experience? Some students shared some in
class. No more than ten (10) sentences.
Part 2
Knowledge is ‘knowing that…’ or ‘knowing how…’ You may use the internet’s search site Stanford Encyclopedia
for Philosophy (SEP) to expand on this definition. It (SEP) helps a lot with reference to philosophical terms. But
make sure you write a definition that makes sense to you. Use an ordinary dictionary if you have to, and always
refer to SEP first.
Explain the concept of ‘knowledge’ as much as possible in your words, with the help of SEP to show you are
aware that it is different from ‘belief’. No more than ten (10) sentences.
10 marks
Part 3
From viewing the two (2) Youtube videos above, that is, Jim Jones massacre documentary and ‘the allegory of
the cave’ clip; explain what differences will exist in our study between “epistemology and knowledge.”