CHAPTER TWO

WHAT IS KNOWLEDGE?

Abstract

Before we can start to explore the arguments developed by different philosophers in the search for knowledge, we first need to understand what philosophers mean by ’knowledge’. Traditionally, there are three different types of knowledge: practical knowledge: knowledge that is skills-based, e.g. being able to drive or use a computer knowledge by acquaintance: knowledge that doesn’t involve facts but familiarity with someone or an objects, e.g. I know my mother, I know what an apple looks like factual knowledge: knowledge based on fact, e.g. I know that the sun rises every morning – I know it is true. Philosophers are mostly interested in factual knowledge because they are trying to understand how we can achieve truth about the world.