Question

Compare and contrast the “supernatural path of knowledge” with the “natural cognitive modes” of knowledge? Define each and describe how they are similar and different by way of examples? Last, describe the third category of knowledge.

Answer 1

The word 'cognition' is derived from latin word 'cognosco' meaning 'to conceptuaize or recognize'. It is the process, through which a new knowledge is incorporated and based on which a decision is made.

With the help of various cognitinitive functions it plays a role in perception, attention,reasoning,language,learning and memory etc facilitating integration of knowledge and interpretation of world around us. The cognitive processes may occur naturally or conciously and artifically or unconciously . The are constantly functioning without our realization.

Now, AFRICAN ways of knowing include a combination of cognitive faculties, which are divided under the following categories:

a) Supernatural cognition

b) Natural Cognition

c) Paranormal cognition or extrasensory perception

In supernatural cognition huamn beings gain knowledge through the help of supernatural powers. It can include ancestors, alien spirits (e.g., njuzu or mermaids, dzviti or warrior spirits and deities or orishas) Here , cognitive modes utilized are divinations and revelation as ways of knowing. Knowledge imparted can be through dreams or indirectly through mediums , diviners, possession, extraordinary life events. It can be either natural or supernatural forces as well.

In Natural cognition, faculties like intuition(feeling or insight) and reason (intellect and logical thought processses, which might be deductive, application of universals to particulars or inductive which involves observations of all occurences of the corresponding phenomenon) are used. Though, intuition (a process that gives us the ability to know something directly without anallytical reasoning, bridging the gap between concious and non concious parts of the mind, also between instinct and reasons)majorily corresponds to heart and that intellect with mind, here they are considered to be interrelated and not mutually exclusive of each other.

In supernatural path of knowledge, presence of an external force or entity is recognized unlike natural cognitive mode, which is based on the individual himself as the entity(inclusive of his personality and environment etc) .For example, through DIVINATION which is considered to be a valid cognitive mode of knowledge. Here communication with a higher spiritual agencies are done, through waking trance or some abstract symbols might be used by some oracular systems which might be based on binary mathematical principles. Once the cryptic essage is decoded the final diagnosis and an action- plan is formulated collectively by diviner and the patient.

So even, in supernatural path both the logical-analytical and intutive-synthesis modes are used (which is the basis of natural path of knowlege). Infact, the binary principles applied is same as which forms the basis of modern-day computer. So this is not only, a superstitious or religion based approach but a learned discipline which requires a profound knowledge (understanding of contibutors to client's problem- like, physiological, psychological, medical, social,political, historical,religious etc) . They verify their findings, by drawing on the past to assess the present therefore, postulating the probable future outcomes.

Hence, epistemology here includes:

1)careful observation of natural and supernatural phenomena

2) the analytical assessment of understanding the phenomena

3) finally, which gives a logical explanation of reality

The third category of knowledge is paranormal cognition or extrasensory perception(ESP may be called sixth sense or second sight). It includes parapsychological realm like paranormal and psychic phenomena.Here, calimed reception of information is not gained through recognized physical senses but is sensed with the mind. It includes an individual's abilities like clairvoyance(alleged ability to gain information about an object, person, location or physical event through ESP), precognition,near death experiences and telepathy(purported transmission of information from a person to another without any known physical interactions or human sensory channels) etc.