Introduction
When we hear the word “model”, everyone may get different associations. In fact, models are a part of our daily life, they surround us, and we use them constantly. Before discussing the notion of model, let us clarify its meaning by providing definitions from some of the English dictionaries. Thus, a model is:
- “a thing used as an example to follow or imitate” (Oxford Dictionary of English, 423)
- “a simplified description, especially a mathematical one, of a system or process, to assist calculations and predictions” (Oxford Dictionary of English, 423)
- “a standard to be imitated” (Collins English Dictionary, 267)
- “a representative form, style, or pattern” (Collins English Dictionary, 267)
Despite the differences in definition formulation, the general concept of the notion is clear. A model serves as a template for working in different areas, including various sciences. So what is the role of models in our life? In this paper, we will try to investigate the role of models of various spheres and their influence on our gain of knowledge.
Talking about the role of models in the gain of knowledge, it is important to note that the knowledge is not limited by the concrete information received in the process of studying. In this paper, the conception of knowledge will be used in its widest meaning, including the a priori knowledge, gained knowledge, personal experience, abstract knowledge, and unconscious knowledge. It will be demonstrated later in the paper that models are integrated into all the mentioned sorts of knowledge.
The Role of Models
It is obvious that our life is hard to imagine without models. In fact, they often serve as a basis for our perception of the world. For instance, there are good and bad models of behavior, which we learn from the childhood. These models can vary in different cultural environments, however in every community they do exist. In more practical applications, models are used in routine life. Indeed, even the process of food preparation represents a set of consequent actions, which constitute a certain model. Needless to say, models in their most formalized scope of meaning are being used in sciences. Based on the given examples, it can be stated that without using models our life would look more like a chaotic number of events and actions.
Thus, models serve to organize certain spheres of human life and make it easier to some extent: instead of re-inventing the wheel while doing something, one can use a model that is reliable and simple. In addition, one of the most important functions of the model is its help in gaining the knowledge. It allows us seeing the real essence of things behind their outward form, so to say “scanning” the surrounding world. If to use a model correctly, one will learn to see a construction behind a building, a behavioral pattern behind a character, and a formula behind a number. Indeed, models are used for “spelling out the consequences of some corpuses of laws for some type of situations” (Carrier, 1).
It is quite obvious that the use of models is essential for people. However, the question that remains, is: do models really help us in the search of knowledge? Or can they also hinder this process? In order to find this out, it is worth analyzing models in various areas of knowledge.
Models in Ethics
One of the brightest examples of using models in a certain area of knowledge is ethics, as far as ethical principles serve as a foundation for all the spheres of life of the civilized community. People learn the ethical models since their early childhood. First, we are being told by parents that doing certain things is either good or bad. Second, we get our own experiences of being offended, discriminated, or treated with respect, and based on these experiences we form our own attitude to certain models of behavior. Next, depending on our emotional state or personal qualities, we can choose to follow certain ethical models. As a result, ethical models are fixed in our consciousness with the means of language, reasoning, and sense perception. Needless to say, these models are very useful for the society. In other case, how would we know what is ethical and what is unethical? How would people know what model of behavior to choose for achieving certain results? The models with no doubt help the society and every individual in particular to be well oriented in ethical issues. Due to this fact, various behavioral models are being developed and offered by the prominent companies nowadays in order to organize the work of their stuff more effectively (Bommer, 266).
However, there is also another side of the medal. It often happens that the models are fixed deep in our subconsciousness, and the smallest departures from the normal models are being treated as wrong. At the same time, it is unfortunately impossible to state that a model can be ultimately true. As an example, we all know that lying is bad, and that the consequences of lying are always unpleasant and are always to become revealed. This means that following this model can never lead to positive results. On the other hand, let’s recollect the white lies, when a doctor tells the patient that they are healthy, and in this way stimulates them to live on. As we can see, in this case the model is unreliable, as even with the traditional constituents it leads to a result, which is different from the expected one. If to judge from this point of view, models can sometimes prove an impediment for the objective perception of the situation.
Models in Arts
Another sphere where models are being used is arts. There are a lot of literal models, such as forms for sculptures or templates for patterns; in addition, the models of different painting techniques are being used. However, the fine arts best illustrate the relativity of the model reliability. For example, the model of impressionist painting involves making small strokes with pure hues in order to make a certain impression. However, the sense perception, which plays the greatest role in this process, cannot be referred to as a reliable model effectiveness factor. For instance, every artist has his or her own vision of the colors, the depicted objects, and of the composition on the canvas. What is more, one painting can be perceived differently by different viewers. This means that the deviation from models is inevitable in arts. However, this fact is rather positive, as it allows the world of arts being diverse and individual, rather than banal and unoriginal. In case if the models were followed strictly in arts, it would lead to the blanking of human personality and highly standardized thinking.
Models in History
Analyzing the role of models in human life, it would be unacceptable to miss the world history. There are a lot of models, which had been established in the course of human history, such as models of interaction between the countries, strategic and tactical models, models of government, etc. These models helped to determine the living conditions of modern countries, and were used and modified by many generations. The design of such models mostly involves reasoning and analysis of the previous experiences. However, the history gives us a multitude of examples when the models failed to lead to the expected result. Specifically, it is a general belief that starting a war is bad, as well as winning a war is good. However, the example of the war between two greatest powers, Germany and Soviet Union, has a reverse effect. According to the model, Germany would have to be in an unfavorable situation right now, as far as this country started the war and later lost it. However, the actual results showed that Germany nowadays is one of the most prominent states in the world, while most of the countries of the former Soviet Union today face an economical and political crisis. Equally, the model of tyranny has been considered as solely negative, but the rule of Mao Zedong appeared to be one of the most effective and prolific periods in the history of China. These facts once more prove that using a model does not always guarantee a one hundred percent desired result.
Conclusion
Having analyzed certain spheres of knowledge, we can see that models are widely used in every case. On one hand, models can be really helpful in different situations; they allow people planning their actions in order to achieve certain results. In addition, it is always easier to use an already existing model instead creating one’s own strategy of actions; therefore, models often free us from needless complications. However, on the other hand, a model has a very relative degree of reliability. The models cannot be totally trusted, as far as there is a number of factors that can affect the final result, such as conditions, human factor, chance, personal qualities, etc.
It has to be said that the problem is not in the varying nature of the models, but in the standardized nature of human thinking. People tend to stick to certain models, treating them as ultimately true. This is the reason why models can hinder the process of gaining the knowledge. As long as people will fit their lives to the existing models, but not vice versa, the models will limit their outlook rather than help them to analyze things. What we need to do today is realize that a model is the means, but not the ends of our life.
Works Cited
Bommer, Michael, Gratto, Clarence, Gravander, Jerry. A behavioral model of ethical and unethical decision making. Journal of Business Ethics, 6(4), 2007: pp. 265-280.
Carrier, Martin. Knowledge gain and practical use: models in pure and applied research. PhD Dissertation, Bielefeld University, 2008.
Collins English Dictionary, 8th Edition. London: HarperCollins Publishers, 2006.
Oxford Dictionary of English, Revised Edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005.