Philosophy and Knowledge Essay

Submitted By besacj
Words: 489
Pages: 2

The Most Significant Philosopher of Epistemology
Friday, November 09, 2012 Epistemology literally means the study of knowledge (Paquette, 18). Many philosophers have long dwelled over the definition of knowledge itself and how can individuals attain it. Plato’s theory of knowledge is the most significant considering that he distinguishes between knowledge and perception (Connolly). Plato claims that knowledge must be objective, real, and independent of the person acquiring the knowledge (Paquette, 181). He stated that “something more” than the senses is required if knowledge is to be acquired and truth is to be found, the ‘”something more” is reason (Paquette, 182). According to Plato reason is the source of knowledge (Brickhouse). There must be much more to the world than the objects that we are able to see with our eyes. What is perceived through the senses is deceiving considering that “things disintegrate, dissolve, and wear down” (Paquette, 202). If an individual felt the water in a pool one day and it was cold then felt it again the next day and it was warm then this proves that the material world is unknown and is ever changing (Paquette, 182). If things are constantly changing then what is seen cannot be determined as true knowledge since we cannot actually know its original form. The idea of what is “perfect” is embedded in our heads and already exists within the human mind (Kreis). When individuals claim that they have found the “perfect” pair of jeans, seen the “perfect” rock concert, or found their “perfect” partner they are actually claiming that they have found something or someone that meets their criteria, idea, and expectation of what is considered perfect. Plato claimed that everyone’s mind holds a form for material objects, such as chairs and trees, as well as for concepts such as justice and beauty (Paquette, 203). He also claimed that everyone is born with knowledge and that “learning simply involves remembering them”(Paquette, 181). In Plato’s dialogue he uses the example of a math teacher and a student who has