The word 'know' has three distinct meanings. First, 'know' is a special form of competence. (Landesman) For example, to know how to play the piano or to know how to recite poems are forms of competition. When someone says that they know how to do something, they are using 'know' as competition. Second, 'know' means to be acquainted with someone or something. (Landesman) For example, to say "I know Jarrett" means one is acquainted with him. One knows Jarrett because they have met him. Third, 'know' is to be able to recognize something as being true. (Landesman) For example, "I know that H20 is water" is scientific. This can be proven. One can say that 'know' in this sense is to have information of a subject.

John Locke was the first person to give a logical explanation of Empiricism. Locke says that if one has innate ideas then they would be conscious of having them. Locke strongly believes that one acquires knowledge during the course of a lifetime. He further states that experience teaches one the things in which they know. Locke explains that experience is external and internal. (Lehrer)

There are many theories of how one gains knowledge. One important and influential theory is empiricism. Empiricists believe knowledge comes from experiences. Another theory is rationalism. Rationalists believe knowledge comes from thought alone without the aid of the senses. (Landesman) Empiricists reject the rationalist theory. Empiricists argue knowledge is based on sense experience and not innate ideas. Although empiricists deny innate ideas, for experiences, they do not reject the notion of innateness. Empiricist believe one is born with bodily functions, emotions, and thinking. They deny one is born with a detailed concept of God, causality, and mathematics. (Landesman) There are three principle philosophers of empiricism: John Locke, George Berkeley, and David Hume.

Lastly, David Hume brought the notion of knowledge a step further from Berkeley. Hume also believed that knowledge is gained through experiences. Hume said all ideas concerning matters of fact are found on issues of cause and effect. He argued that all our knowledge of cause and effect came through habit. He believed that the more one experiences things the more certain it will be. Hume sets an example of something that will cause another. He uses the example of playing pool. In pool one hits the white ball, which in turn hits the others. So, Hume says that the cause of the white ball being hit by someone affected the other balls to move. In short, all reasoning concerning cause and effect are founded on experience. (Landesman)

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Approximate Word count = 1294
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)