Masters Degrees (Information Science)

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Browsing Masters Degrees (Information Science) by Subject "Altered states of conciousness"

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    The biodynamics of knowledge creation : an archaeological, behavioural and neurological account of the creation of human knowledge
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2008-12) Christie, Warren James Alexander; Kinghorn, J.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Information Science.
    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.