Biology

To me, biology is about life and the living things that make up what we call ‘nature’. From the smallest organisms, to human beings, to the largest creature on the planet, biology tells us “what makes things tick”. Biology also tells us how and why organisms work in a particular way. Combined, these two make us aware of all the magnificent creatures around us. By studying biology, we acquire knowledge in three different forms.

Through biology, we gain experiential knowledge through direct or face-to-face contact with the subject. We perform experiments examining different specimens to understand their composition, their behaviour, their very essence. For example, what are present in a plant cell? By performing an experiment where you use a microscope and the inner epidermis of a plant (for example, an onion) soaked in iodine solution, you can examine the composition of the cell.

Another method to expand our knowledge in biology is from having practical knowledge of the subject. This is a skill or proficiency you develop about the subject as time passes. For example, in biology, you need to acquire specific knowledge in order to perform an analysis. Usually this knowledge comes from cumulative experience gained over time. Such skills include being able to distinguish between the different organelles (contents in a cell), the proper use of a microscope, etc. These skills are acquired through experimentation. In time, you become very proficient in doing the experiment, that you may say that “you just know it”.

The last form of knowledge is what we call propositional knowledge. Here is where your textbooks, friends, and teachers come together. This is knowledge of facts, or truths, or knowledge stated in propositions. Propositions, facts and truths come from many sources – friends, teachers, classmates, textbooks, and even television programs like National Geographic. So how do you know a whale is a mammal, and not a fish? That’s because textbooks, teachers, scientists and friends tell you so.

Biology is the study of living organisms. What knowledge we gain from it can be divided into 3 groups – experiential, practical, and propositional knowledge. There is something to gain with each kind of knowledge. But the real value comes when all three meet. Together they convey knowledge more effectively, a deeper understanding of the world we live in, and the creatures that inhabit what we call ‘nature’.