The Problems of Philosophy · Chapter
Knowledge by Acquaintance and Knowledge by Description explained
This chapter distinguishes two kinds of knowledge of things: knowledge by acquaintance, which is direct awareness without inference, and knowledge by description, which involves knowledge of truths and refers to objects through descriptions
What happens
This chapter distinguishes two kinds of knowledge of things: knowledge by acquaintance, which is direct awareness without inference, and knowledge by description, which involves knowledge of truths and refers to objects through descriptions. It explores acquaintance with sense-data, memory, introspection, and universals, and argues that all knowledge rests on acquaintance. Physical objects and other minds are known only by description.
Themes in this chapter
Knowledge and Certainty
The chapter distinguishes direct acquaintance (certain) from knowledge by description (inferential), emphasizing that sense-data are indubitable while physical objects are not.
Appearance vs. Reality
The table example illustrates the contrast between sense-data (appearance) and the physical object (reality), with knowledge of the latter being indirect.
Universals and Particulars
The chapter introduces acquaintance with universals (e.g., whiteness, diversity) as distinct from particular sense-data, essential for knowledge of truths.
Key passages
“We shall say that we have 'acquaintance' with anything of which we are directly aware, without the intermediary of any process of inference or any knowledge of truths.”
Acquaintance is direct awareness, not based on inference or prior truths.
Defines the core concept of knowledge by acquaintance.
“My knowledge of the table as a physical object, on the contrary, is not direct knowledge. Such as it is, it is obtained through acquaintance with the sense-data that make up the appearance of the table.”
Knowledge of the physical table is indirect, derived from sense-data.
Illustrates knowledge by description using the table example.
“All our knowledge, both knowledge of things and knowledge of truths, rests upon acquaintance as its foundation.”
Acquaintance is the basis for all knowledge.
Summarizes the foundational role of acquaintance.