Knowledge And Power Essay, Research Paper
In Mary Louise Pratt s Arts of the Contact Zone , she discusses the association of a less powerful civilization, the Andean s, and a powerful, dominant civilization, the Spanish. The Spaniards lack of knowledge of the Andean civilization prevented them from realizing their true culture and made them assume that the Andean s were an ignorant people. Poma s learning of the Spanish culture enabled him to act as a messenger between the two civilizations and thus gain more power in relating information between them. The Spanish had much power, but they did not know much about the Andean s, whereas Poma knew more about both cultures. In a sense, Poma had more power from his knowledge than the Spanish had knowledge from their dominant power. Therefore, knowledge is power, but knowledge does not always come with power.
Guaman Poma s letter to King Philip III shows that even though the Andeans were not as powerful as the Spanish, they were still able to develop the knowledge to communicate with people from another culture or who speak a different language. Without the ability to communicate, we feel we are lost and alone. The Spanish had no interest in learning the language of the Andeans; therefore, Poma was forced to learn Spanish. In learning about the Spanish and their language, Poma gains some power. He wanted to show King Philip III that the Andeans are not as ignorant as The Spanish thought them to be. Instead of writing a letter to the King in Spanish, he adapted it along Andean lines to express Andean interests and aspirations. (Pratt 532) The main purpose of this letter was to express that the Andeans were not as ignorant as the Spanish thought them to be.
The people or things we learn from either keep us ignorant or actually teach us and let us gain some power through what we learn. Everything we learn is presented to us in an educational package. Unfortunately, A student who has the desire to get at a dogfish or a Shakespeare sonnet may have the greatest difficulty in salvaging the creature itself from the educational package in which it is presented. (Percy 519) What we learn depends on the media in which the information is transmitted to us. The educators are the ones that choose what and how we are going to learn something. The educators are the ones who hold all of the power in this case. The students are the ones who are struggling to gain power through knowledge. Without this knowledge, we are nothing. The ignorant, or presumed ignorant are the people we enslave or take advantage of.
Usually, when the enslaved people understand what these other people are trying to do, such as the Andeans, they write an autoethnographic text to explain whom they are and what they stand for. They try to disinherit what other people think they are like. Basically, the letter that Poma wrote to King Philip III can be used as an example of an autoethnographic text. This letter proves that the Andeans were not as ignorant as they were first thought to be. Poma included a scene from the bible, Adam and Eve. Through this scene alone, Poma shows the King that he has read the bible and is able to understand the difference between the social status of men and women.
Even between men and women there is a contact zone .(Pratt 530) A contact zone is used to refer to social spaces where cultures meet, clash, and grapple with each other. (Pratt 530) Women are held on a lower level than men. Men are usually seen as having power and being dominant. You can compare the relation between men and women with that of Spain and the Andeans respectively. The King of Spain felt that since the Andeans were not the same, they did not act the same or worship the same things, they were a people that needed some kind of leadership. Right here we can see the potential for the two to clash. If only the King would have taken the time to learn about the Andeans, he would know that they are far more intelligent than one would think at first glance.
The King did not even see the Andeans for himself. Instead he sent a few men to look at the place and find out about the Andeans for him. When this information is given to the King, it is what the men saw and not what the King himself has seen. The relaying of information forms a symbolic complex for the King. Though he may have been a good King or not, he still has a preconceived notion of what the Andeans are like. Do to the lack of power the Andeans hold, it is not worth the time for the King to find out what these people are really like. Since the King is the one with the power, he chooses not to know about them.
Power dictates how much we need to learn. If you are people with little or no power, such as the Andeans, you are forced to learn about other cultures. The Spanish on the other hand, have more power and therefore feel they do not need to know about the Andeans. By learning about the Spanish, they slowly gain more and more power. Even though they do not have as much power as the Spanish, they continue to learn more about them in order to communicate and live with the Spanish without the Spanish looking down on and using them. Through power we become overconfident sometimes. Sometimes, as with the English and Scottish, the people that are being repressed gain enough knowledge of their opponents that they are able to overcome the power that was above them. True power is knowledge, but when we have the power we seem to stop learning or caring as much.
Другие работы по теме:
Power Essay Research Paper Power is as
Power Essay, Research Paper Power is, as anyone will tell you, a tantalizing addiction. The natural human craving for power derives from the simple ideals of a genuflecting mass of humanity; bowing, scraping, praising and carrying out one?s every whim. The sheer exhilaration of controlling, manipulating, and yes, even hurting someone is almost too much for out feeble minds to overcome.
What Is Science Essay Research Paper What
What Is Science Essay, Research Paper What is Science? Several dictionary definitions of science in Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary define science as a system of knowledge about a specific topic. The systems come from systematic, or precise, observations of natural events; a random example would be the study of the movement of a caterpillar.
Business Knowledge Essay Research Paper Using Your
Business Knowledge Essay, Research Paper Using Your Business Knowledge 1. Babysitting-I make very good money and it?s a very good learning experience on how to deal and take care of children which is something that everyone needs to eventually learn in life.
Socrates Essay Research Paper Socrates believed in
Socrates Essay, Research Paper Socrates believed in speaking the truth. In his speeches, his true character is revealed. He is an individual, who lived only to spread knowledge. Socrates was humble, knowing that he was no wiser than anyone. In not recording his knowledge, he was able to devote more time to thought.
The Power Of One One Person Can
Change The World Essay, Research Paper The Power Of One: One Person Can Change the World Dave Brown W. History per. 7 4/17/96 I believe very firmly that one person can change the world. That one
Three Goals Essay Research Paper Life is
Three Goals Essay, Research Paper Life is a continuous journey. So far, my journey has been a quest to fulfill happiness, a search for knowledge and a longing for wealth. Throughout the years, I have been in pursuit of these goals. What I have achieved is merely the tip of the iceberg compared to my dreams, but the passions that drive me will not cease until they have been satisfied.
Knowledge Essay Research Paper Intro to PhilKnowledge
Knowledge Essay, Research Paper Intro to Phil Knowledge as Justified True Belief Reprinted from The Collected Dialogues of Plato (1961) edited by Edith Hamilton and Huntington Cairns. Plato (ca. 428 to 348 B.C.) a student of Socrates, teacher of Aristotle and a giant of Western philosophy, best know for his classical theory of ideal forms.
Locke And Decartes Essay Research Paper In
Locke And Decartes Essay, Research Paper In comparing the argument for the existence of God there are two views, Decartes and Locke. Decartes believes there is innate knowledge that everybody already has a perfect being acquired knowledge. Locke believes that all ideas come from experience. I believe truth lies between both of these theories.
John Locke Summary Essay Research Paper John
John Locke: Summary Essay, Research Paper John Locke: The Empiricist Theory of Knowledge: Summary Understanding and knowledge is what makes man superior to all other beings according to John Locke. However, the bounds of this understanding and knowledge are questionable. Is some knowledge innate? How certain can we be about beliefs and the knowledge we have? John Locke attempts to give some insight as to the answers of these questions in his work, The Empiricist Theory of Knowledge.
Power Essay Research Paper Does the world
Power Essay, Research Paper Does the world belong to the strong? As they are used in this sentence, belong and strong are two multifaceted words. They can each indicate different definitions, changing the meaning of the question.
Education The Student Essay Research Paper Let
Education: The Student Essay, Research Paper Let us define a student to be someone who makes a study of something. Furthermore, allow study to be defined as the active pursuit of knowledge. For instance, someone who studies because they crave the acquisition of a particular knowledge is doing so actively, whereas someone who studies because they are required (i.e. the college student who is attending college solely for the purpose of a degree) is not.
2 Chronicle Essay Research Paper solomon was
2 Chronicle Essay, Research Paper solomon was a king who had a hearts desire to have wisdom and knowledge from God so that he could lead his people whcih he says is Gods people. The significant
What Do You Want From College Essay
, Research Paper There are three main categories of things that can be gained in a life experience. We can gain materially, gain in our personality, and gain knowledge. According to our goals we pick which we want more of. I want nothing of the first except to aid my approach to the third. The second will happen as it must over time, and I can’t really guess what will be gained or lost there.
The Godfather Essay Research Paper Violence and
The Godfather Essay, Research Paper Violence and The Godfather Throughout time there have always been people who held more power than others. There are many different methods used to both demonstrate and maintain the power which they possess. Often times violence is the method chosen to achieve these goals.
Ignorance Is Not Bliss Essay Research Paper
Nicholas Sine Period Four 4-6-98 Ignorance is Not Bliss “Ignorance is the primary source of all misery and vice.” –Victor Cousin. As knowledge gives us the power to create, ignorance gives us the power to destroy. Over
Dyslexia Essay Research Paper The hardest thing
Dyslexia Essay, Research Paper The hardest thing a child or an adult can ever experience, which happens to be a fact is to be labeled by society as an ? ILLITERATE?. This misconception comes about a pre-judged opinion by society, who think themselves capable of classifying people, by either their looks, their money, or their power.
St Augustine Confessions Essay Research Paper Saint
St. Augustine Confessions Essay, Research Paper Saint Augustine s Confessions Saint Augustine was believed to be the Christian Plato. He describes Plato with the adulation of an admirer and follower. He achieved most of his knowledge through the interpretations of the immensely popular neo-Platonists.
Animal Farm Power Essay Research Paper Power
Animal Farm: Power Essay, Research Paper Power is sometimes used as good, and is sometimes used in corrupt ways. Animal Farm shows many examples of power being used for wrong.
Knowledge Essay Research Paper Throughout the ages
Knowledge Essay, Research Paper Throughout the ages, man has always used his idea of correct knowledge as a way of pushing himself higher, a way of reaching a new plateau of superiority. Whether or not this knowledge proves to be true is superficial. The only matter of any importance is that he believes he is correct.
Metaphysics Essay Research Paper METAPHYSICSTHEORY OF KNOWLEDGE
Metaphysics Essay, Research Paper METAPHYSICS THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE AND BEYOND The complex knowledge of metaphysics ? once comprehended ? is capable of helping an individual reach self-realization. Aristotle, a renowned man of thinking, conjured metaphysics to help understand the theories of intelligence – - it?s core of existence and where it comes from, truth, and cause.
College Essay Essay Research Paper college essayLearning
College Essay Essay, Research Paper college essay Learning is a continuous process in life since we are constantly influenced by everything known and unknown around us. Whether one considers making learning a formal process by attending educational institutions and being recognized for their achievements, or informally, by their own inclination to learn, is a focal decision one eventually has to make.
What Is Wisdom Essay Research Paper What
What Is Wisdom Essay, Research Paper What Is Wisdom? Is it knowledge, science or just common sense? I think it is a mixture of all these things and more. If you
Wisdom Essay Research Paper Wisdom in my
Wisdom Essay, Research Paper Wisdom, in my opinion is ?The knowing of many things?. Wisdom is what all people should strive for during their entire life. For being wise is having the power of knowing and judging what is right and good, you have the power to discern what you should and should not do. You can look at situations in life and have the wisdom to know what you should do.
What Is Wealth Essay Research Paper What
What Is Wealth Essay, Research Paper What is Wealth When one asks themselves “what is wealth,” people immediately think of money. They think of nice cars and big houses. People think of power and the
Dr Faustus Essay Research Paper In Dr
Dr. Faustus Essay, Research Paper In Dr. Faustus, Christopher Marlowe uses the resolution of the conflict between Dr. Faustus and the beliefs of his time to explore the idea of man’s place in the universe. In Faustus’ time, it was believed that man had a place in the universe, and man must stay within his boundaries.
Grade Essay Research Paper There are a
Grade Essay, Research Paper There are a lot of paths one can take in answering the question What grade would I find acceptable and why? To some D is acceptable. To me, D means barely passing, which means the student has the lowest knowledge of concepts needs to pass. If one has enough will power and motivation, acceptable for them would mean that A would be the only acceptable grade they would deserve.There are a lot of paths one can take in answering the question What grade would I find acceptable and why? To some D is acceptable.
Etta Johnson Essay Research Paper The male
Etta Johnson Essay, Research Paper The male versus female power struggle between two character in “Etta johnson,” an excerpt from gloria naylor’s novel The Woman of brewster place: A novel in seven stories illustrates the conflict of character’s expectration. Both etta mae johnson and Rev. morelond woods want different futeres for thier relationship. etta johnson is looking for a long term relationship that involes marriage.
Philosophy And It
’s Role Essay, Research Paper Philosophy and Its Role Philosophy as we know it today began at the axis of history. Philosophy was bred out of the need to study the abuse of power. As we know, all meaning is in terms of relation. These relations, when shared by a group of people compose social structure. This structure of a group of people leads to a common power.
MS Power Point Essay Research Paper Reflection
MS Power Point Essay, Research Paper Reflection on MS Power Point The Microsoft Power Point presentation that we just completed was a fun project. I learned how to set up Power Point slides while infiltrating animation and sound.
Macbeth Novel Essay Research Paper Compare and
Macbeth Novel Essay, Research Paper Compare and Contrast: Macbeth and Lady Macbeth Ambition, the world?s driving force to achieve their goals. Ambition is a characteristic of human nature,