There are several ways of attempting to “know something” (acquiring knowledge). Some of them are more reliable than others.
There are several “ways of knowing ” or, more strictly, trying to “know something” (acquiring knowledge). Some of them are much more reliable than others.
The philosophical study of knowledge is called epistemology. For a belief to be knowledge – it needs to be shown to be true in some way.
Ways of Knowing
There are, in fact, four very significant stumbling blocks in the way of grasping the truth, which hinder every man however learned, and scarcely allow anyone to win a clear title to wisdom, namely, the example of weak and unworthy authority, longstanding custom, the feeling of the ignorant crowd, and the hiding of our own ignorance while making a display of our apparent knowledge.
Empiricism
Empiricism is a way of knowing that relies on observation and sensory experience. It is our primary method of gaining knowledge.
Scientific Method
The scientific method is a way of knowing that systematically collects and evaluates evidence to test hypotheses and answer questions. It is an empirical method of acquiring knowledge.
Rationalism
Rationalism is a way of knowing that uses reason and logic.
Authority
Cognitive authority is a way of knowing where an authority figure we trust states that something is true. It is perhaps the most common method of acquiring knowledge.
Intuition
Intuition is a way of knowing where we rely on our guts, emotions, or instincts to inform us without conscious reasoning.
Custom
Tenacity is a way of knowing based mainly on custom or superstition; it is a belief that exists solely because it has always been accepted.
Descriptive knowledge
Descriptive knowledge, also known as propositional or declarative, knowledge is a way of knowing in which knowledge is represented in a natural or formal language such as mathematics or propositional logic. For instance, a rose is a flower.
Reliability
The following table lists the ways of knowing in approximate order of reliability.
| Way of knowing |
Reliability
|
| Descriptive Knowledge | Always true by definition. e.g., all husbands are married. |
| Scientific Method | The best empirical method we have available but not foolproof. |
| Empiricism | Pretty reliable, but our senses have limits and can at times mislead us (e.g., optical illusions). |
| Rationalism | Logical arguments may hide logical fallacies. |
| Authority | Authorities can be wrong. Subjective, it all depends on who you trust. |
| Intuition | Based on little or no objective evidence. Vulnerable to personal misconceptions and delusions. |
| Custom | Based on little or no evidence. A common and dangerous way of knowing. |
The two most common ways and dangerous ways of knowing are cognitive authority and custom.
Cognitive Authority
Cognitive authority is a dangerous way of knowing as it leads to the delusion of knowledge. By and large, we “know” very little; we trust what others say. We outsource our so-called knowledge to people or authorities we trust and disregard knowledge from people we don’t trust.
Greta Thunberg trusts the scientific community when it comes to global warming. Donald Trump distrusts the scientific community. The issue is not about empirical evidence or lack of knowledge of the scientific method but about who we trust.
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