Read the given passage carefully and answer the question that follows From the seeming irrelevancies of this archaeological gossip, some concrete meaning for the ambiguous term "knowledge" should yet have been emerging. It has at least been distinguished from instinctive "responses" and from what popular psychology terms "memories", as long as such remain personal and private. The knowledge embodied in the hand axes of the Old Stone Age was both useful and public. It enabled our remote precursors or ancestors to make serviceable tools such as they needed to supplement the deficiencies of their limbs and other bodily organs. And it was communicated to and transmitted by all human beings who made hand axes for thousands of generations. Thus this knowledge was preserved - but not only preserved. It was also enriched and extended. During the two or three hundred years over which hand axes were being made, archaeologists can detect improvements in their form and changes in the techniques of manufacture. More efficient tools were produced with less effort. These progressive changes reflect additions to knowledge, discoveries and inventions that were made public and incorporated in the traditional lore or knowledge used, transmitted and maintained by Old Stone Age societies. Of course, the progressive change observed in archaeologists' "hand axes" is just one case of the general technological progress from simple manual tools of stone and bone to complicated machines made of metallic alloys and other artificial substances and operated by electrical or even nuclear power. It is this technological progress that has secured for Homo sapiens the victory over all competitors in the evolutionary race for survival. But technological progress in its turn is just the result and consequence of the accumulation of knowledge. That accumulation was possible just because human knowledge is public; one member of the species can communicate to another what he has found out.
What was the knowledge embodied in the hand axes of the Old Stone Age?
Useful
Understanding Knowledge in the Old Stone Age Hand Axes
The question asks us to identify the nature of the knowledge embodied in the hand axes of the Old Stone Age, based on the provided passage. We need to carefully read the relevant part of the text to find the answer.
The passage states: "The knowledge embodied in the hand axes of the Old Stone Age was both useful and public."
This sentence directly describes the characteristics of the knowledge associated with these ancient tools. Let's examine the options provided in light of this statement.
- Creative: While the passage mentions "progressive changes" and implied discoveries and inventions which suggest creativity, the passage doesn't explicitly describe the inherent knowledge as solely "creative" in this specific defining sentence.
- Progressive: The passage discusses "progressive changes" over time and "technological progress" resulting from the accumulation of knowledge. This describes the *evolution* and *impact* of the knowledge, not its core nature as initially defined when discussing the hand axes. The knowledge *led* to progressive changes, but the knowledge itself was defined as useful and public.
- Scientific: The passage contrasts this knowledge with instinct and personal memory and links it to technological development. However, it does not label it "scientific" in the modern sense of systematic empirical study, though it represents early technical understanding.
- Useful: The passage explicitly states that the knowledge was "useful". This directly aligns with the text's description. The passage also notes that this knowledge "enabled our remote precursors or ancestors to make serviceable tools such as they needed to supplement the deficiencies of their limbs and other bodily organs." This reinforces the idea that the knowledge was practical and served a purpose, i.e., it was useful.
Based on the direct statement in the passage, the knowledge embodied in the hand axes of the Old Stone Age was described as both useful and public. Among the given options, "Useful" is explicitly mentioned as a characteristic.
| Option | Support from Passage |
|---|---|
| Creative | Implied by progress/inventions, but not explicitly stated as the core nature of the knowledge itself. |
| Progressive | Describes the result of accumulating knowledge over time, not the inherent nature of the knowledge itself as defined in the relevant sentence. |
| Scientific | Not explicitly stated or defined as such in the context. |
| Useful | Explicitly stated in the passage: "The knowledge embodied in the hand axes of the Old Stone Age was both useful and public." |
Therefore, the most accurate description of the knowledge embodied in the hand axes, according to the passage, is that it was useful.
Revision Table: Key Concepts from the Passage
Let's summarize some key ideas discussed in the passage regarding knowledge and technology:
- Knowledge is distinguished from instinctive responses and private memories.
- Knowledge in hand axes was useful and public.
- This knowledge allowed for making serviceable tools.
- It was communicated and transmitted across generations.
- Knowledge was preserved, enriched, and extended over time.
- Progressive changes in tools reflect additions to knowledge.
- Technological progress results from the accumulation of public knowledge.
- Public nature of human knowledge facilitates accumulation and progress.
Additional Information: The Significance of Useful Knowledge in Prehistory
The passage highlights the importance of useful knowledge, like that related to toolmaking, for early human survival and development. This type of knowledge, often referred to as technological knowledge or practical knowledge, was crucial in allowing early humans to interact with their environment more effectively.
- Toolmaking: Creating hand axes required understanding materials (stone types), processes (flaking techniques), and form (ergonomics, function). This was highly useful knowledge.
- Public Knowledge and Transmission: The fact that this knowledge was public and could be transmitted meant that improvements could be built upon over generations. This cumulative learning is a hallmark of human cultural and technological evolution.
- Survival Advantage: The passage argues that technological progress, stemming from accumulated useful knowledge, gave Homo sapiens an edge in the "evolutionary race for survival." Useful knowledge directly contributed to the ability to acquire food, defend against predators, and adapt to different environments.
Understanding early forms of knowledge, like that embodied in Paleolithic tools, helps us appreciate the foundations of human technological and societal development. The emphasis on usefulness underscores the practical, survival-oriented nature of much early human learning.
Important Questions from Basic Sociology
Serviceable tools were needed to supplement the deficiencies of
Archaeologists can detect in the form of hand axes and change in ________
The distinction in knowledge has emphasized through _______
Technological progress is the result of the accumulation of ________
In which year was the word Sociology first used?
