1.+Sources+of+Knowing

=Sources of Knowledge:=

We acquire knowledge through numerous ways, namely through: Our senses, Belief or faith, acquaintances, practice, introspection, empathy, instinct, authority, logic, empirical knowledge, and memory.

As kids, the most common way in which we acquire knowledge would be through our parents, through their authority and our respect for them do we take in what they tell us, regardless of the legitimacy. If I was walking down a road and I saw a flower, which my mum may point out as a ‘rose’, from then on I’ll ‘know’ that red flower, with the distinct shape and patterns as a rose until proven otherwise. However, as we grow older, our source of knowledge may come from a different authority, primarily our school teachers or older friends. How they acquire their knowledge would be through the same route, and through historical recordings from greater authorities such as Einstein and Newton.

Other than through authority, our environmental upbringing will teach us to ‘know’ certain things as well, as I grew up in Hong Kong I grew aware of a few dishes that were very popular, if I were to go anywhere any where else in the world and I saw those dishes, I would naturally assume them to be from Hong Kong, as certain aspects become molded into our consciousness. Personal experience is a different aspect from where we learn things; I know that this rough glass will cut me and I will be in pain, and I would know this because I’ve accidently cut myself with glass before. Similarly to environmental influences and personal experience, other aspects such as introspection, ethics, logic, empirical and empathy give us knowledge but not through a third party as with authority, faith and practice.

=PERL BOX=
 * Perception**

· **Instinct – Flinching at flying ball** · **Memory – We remember what Mr. Tennis looks like.** · **Acquaintance – I met and saw mohammad last year.**


 * Emotion**

· **Faith – There’s no proof there’s only 1 God.** · **Ethics – Giving an old person your seat feels good to us** · **Introspection – Judging how I called Mohammad ugly.** · **Empathy – I know what it feels like for this to kid to get to hit by ball.**


 * Reason**

· **Belief – There are scientific reasons for why this plane will fly.** · **Logic – Closing the door, to keep aircon in.** · **Authority – Coach knows more basketball plays.**


 * Language**

· **Practice – We read texts or hear speeches that teaches us to believe in god.**

=  =

=Symbols:=


 * [[image:acquaintance.jpg width="306" height="281"]] ||
 * [[image:authority2.jpg width="338" height="243"]] ||
 * [[image:Belief2.jpg width="355" height="230"]] ||
 * [[image:empathy.jpg]] ||
 * [[image:empirical.jpg width="300" height="224"]] ||
 * [[image:ethics.jpg]] ||
 * [[image:faith.jpg]] ||
 * [[image:instinct.jpg]] ||
 * [[image:introspection.jpg]] ||
 * [[image:logic.jpg]] ||
 * [[image:memories.jpg width="518" height="406"]] ||
 * [[image:practice.jpg]] ||
 * [[image:senses.jpg]] ||