Related Terms • epistemology • empiricism • rationalism • fallibilism • skepticism

Definition:
Knowledge is a type of belief - which means that it involves concepts and abstractions in our brains. As such, the most basic prerequisite for knowledge is the existence of a conscious, living being. As best as can be determined, knowledge cannot be achieved outside of living beings which are conscious at least some of the time. Two other characteristics appear vital: those of acquisition and verification. Since knowledge exists as abstractions, it must be abstracted from something - so knowledge is something we acquire over time rather than are simply born with. In this way knowledge is distinguished from instinct and instinctual actions.

A common philosophical definition of knowledge is a justified, true belief. What this means is that for any belief to qualify as knowledge, your must first be justified in believing it, and second it must actually be a true proposition.

If you believe that all crows are black without ever having any experience with crows or birds, then that belief does not qualify as knowledge. It may be true - but you weren't rationally justified in believing it.

Similarly, if you believe that all dogs are large because you have never encountered a small dog, that also would not qualify as knowledge. The belief may have some reasonable justification, but the claim simply isn't true. Verification is the process by which we make sure that what hear has some basis in truth. This is vital because we are fallible - it isn't true that any idea which occurs to us is correct. Since it makes no sense to say that a person knows something which is false (i.e., that 2 + 2 = 5), we must make some effort to verify information before being able to properly say that we know it.

Epistemology, or the study of knowledge, has focused in the West on the problem of justification: precisely what, if anything, can constitute adequate justification for knowledge? One debate is between rationalists and empiricists who disagree about the sources which might provide evidence. Another debate occurs over the question of certainty, with fallibilists and skeptics doubting that certainty can be achieved.

The question of knowledge also has implications for the philosophy of the mind. If someone can be said to have knowledge, then it also follows that they must have a mind - thus, understanding knowledge can lead to understanding about the mind. Is knowledge contained in the physical brain, or is it held by some other, non-material entity labeled "mind"?

There are also three general categories of knowledge which should be distinguished. The first is factual or propositional knowledge - this is when we make statements which are factually correct. For example: I know that Germany fought in World War II. The second is procedural knowledge - this is when we know how to go about doing something. Examples would include gymnastics or juggling - and these point out that procedural knowledge involves more than reading a book. Reading about how to juggle is not the same as actually being able to do it. When someone claims to know how to juggle, we assume that they can actually perform the act rather than that they've merely read an instruction manual. The third type is the knowledge of personal experience, which is the type meant when someone says "I know war" or "I know pain." In these instances, the person can draw upon personal experiences not otherwise available to others.

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Related Resources:

What is Epistemology?
Epistemology is the investigation into the grounds and nature of knowledge itself. Epistemological studies are usually focused upon our means for acquiring knowledge, and as a consequence, modern epistemology generally involves a debate between rationalism and empiricism, or the question of whether knowledge can be acquired a priori or a posteriori.

What is Philosophy?
What is philosophy? Is there any point in studying philosophy, or is it a useless subject? What are the different branches of philosophy - what's the difference between aestheitcs and ethics? What's the difference between metaphysics and epistemology?