<p>Does our essay have to be directly related to the prompt (as opposed to just answering the assignment)? I guess the below prompt is asking about the good/bad of technology, but my essay has been more about how possessing knowledge which are radically different from others’ worldview can lead to problems for you. Is this okay or does it need to be more relevant to the prompt? Thanks.</p>
<p>Essay Prompt:</p>
<p>Knowledge is power. In agriculture, medicine, and industry, for example, knowledge has liberated us from hunger, disease and tedious labor. Today, however, our knowledge has become so powerful that it is beyond our control. We know how to do many things, but we do not know when, where, or even whether this know-how should be used.</p>
<p>Assignment:</p>
<p>Can knowledge be a burden rather than a benefit? </p>
<p>Your Response:</p>
<p>Reality is rather subjective. People generaly percieve things the way they wish to or the way that keeps their mind at ease. Since such is the case, possessing knowledge which doesen’t conform with others’ world view can indeed be a burden and have unpleasant ramifications.It can be said the knowledge we possess of this universe has always been rather limited compared to the size and scope of the universe. Though our knowledge has always been slowly expanding, the promethean discoverers who are the first to shed light on the various enigmatic mysteries of the universe, almost always face the ire of the less enlightened. </p>
<p>The polymath genius from the Renaiscance era, Gallie Gallileo , is a prime example of knowledge proving detrimental to a person. Gallileo made great contributions in maths, physics and engineering, but his greatest contribution would come with his endorsement of heliocentric view of the universe, which was first proposed by Coprenicus. Such a view went against the widely held geocentric worldview, which also enjoyed the support of the powerful Catholic church. He was hence branded a heretic by the church and tried for heresy. He would then be sentenced to house imprisonment and forced to recant his theories. Thus Gallileo had to endure great hardships because his knowledge were incosistent with the view held by the others. Further, being forced to recant, he lived with the burden of not being able to share the truth he knew for the rest of his life. </p>
<p>Another prominent figure, who made seminal contributions to afield, but had to suffer for that, was Hippocrates of Ancient Greece. He was the first to take a scientific approach to medicine, eschewing superstition and religion from it. This went against what was the norm at that time, and as a result he had to endure excoriating criticism from his peers. Eventually he would be tried and imprisoned for his ‘heretical’ views. Thus, even though hippocrates made prodigous contributions to the field of medicine, his knowledge would only make his own life extremely difficult. It was only through stoic courage through al the opposition, he was able to bear the burden and firther the field of medicine. </p>
<p>Thus, it can be surmised that any knowledge which clashes with others’ perception of reality would prove a burden.</p>