What can we know?

Definition

This term refers to the exploration of human knowledge and its limits, particularly in understanding the nature of reality. It delves into how we acquire knowledge, the distinction between different types of qualities we perceive, and the implications these distinctions have on our understanding of the world around us.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The question 'What can we know?' is central to epistemology, the study of knowledge and belief.
2. Locke argued that knowledge is derived from experience and that we cannot know anything beyond what we perceive through our senses.
3. Primary qualities are objective attributes that do not change regardless of who observes them, while secondary qualities are subjective and can vary based on individual perception.
4. Locke believed that understanding the distinction between primary and secondary qualities helps clarify what can be known about objects in the world.
5. This exploration of knowledge also raises important questions about reality and whether our perceptions accurately reflect it.

Review Questions

• How does Locke’s distinction between primary and secondary qualities relate to the question of what we can know?
  • Locke’s distinction highlights that while primary qualities are measurable and objective aspects of objects that contribute to what we can know, secondary qualities are subjective and depend on individual perception. This distinction emphasizes that our knowledge is limited by our sensory experiences, and understanding this helps frame our inquiry into reality. Thus, it underscores the complexities involved in discerning what constitutes true knowledge.
• Evaluate how Locke’s empiricist approach influences our understanding of knowledge in modern philosophy.
  • Locke’s empiricism posits that knowledge originates from experience rather than innate ideas, greatly influencing modern philosophical thought. This perspective encourages reliance on observation and sensory data for acquiring knowledge. As a result, it has shaped scientific methods and discussions about knowledge acquisition in contemporary philosophy. It challenges us to consider how our perceptions affect our understanding of reality.
• Synthesize how the concepts of primary and secondary qualities contribute to ongoing debates in philosophy regarding the nature of reality.
  • The concepts of primary and secondary qualities foster debates about realism versus idealism in philosophy. By suggesting that primary qualities exist independently of perception while secondary qualities rely on observers' senses, these concepts complicate discussions on whether reality is objective or constructed through individual experiences. This synthesis invites deeper inquiries into how knowledge is formed and understood, urging philosophers to consider both empirical evidence and subjective experience in defining reality.

Related terms

Empiricism: A philosophical theory which asserts that knowledge comes primarily from sensory experience.

Primary Qualities: Qualities that are inherent in an object, such as shape, size, and motion, which exist independently of any observer.

Secondary Qualities: Qualities that exist in the perception of the observer, such as color, taste, and sound, which depend on the observer's sensory experience.