Russell and Phillips’ Views of Knowledge Essay Example

Russell and Phillips’ Views of Knowledge Essay Name: Tutor: Course: Date: We will write a custom essay sample on Russell and Phillips’ Views of Knowledge specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Russell and Phillips’ Views of Knowledge specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Russell and Phillips’ Views of Knowledge specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Russell and Phillips’ Views of Knowledge Knowledge is the information understood and applied by people through various concepts. The acquisition of knowledge by people depends on their ability to internalize concepts. The origin of knowledge is unknown since most people do not know the true source of the information they have, and that which they disseminate. Over the years, many ideas have been developed to understand what it means to possess knowledge. Research by Cahn describes the differences between assumptions and actual knowledge (74). In the article, Appearance and Reality by Bertrand Russell, he argues that all information known to humans is subject to doubt. He explains further that skepticism yields a closer understanding of various occurrences in life, but not knowledge. Skepticism is the nature of being doubtful of ideas. He tries to show that the daily occurrence and appearance of a setting is unknown. According to the article, the existence of specific items leads to the assumption of their knowledge. He evaluates the concept of skepticism, and its effect on general information. Skepticism gives rise to the assumptions made on a daily basis through doubting the existence of tangible items in a setting. In the article, What Can I Know? by Dewi Zephaniah Phillips, the author argues that in order to have information about an event or occurrence in a setting, extensive research should be done. He shows that people need to have prior information to a case before claiming that they have knowledge. The information should be self-gathered by the person seeks knowledge. To support his argument, he compares religion to philosophy. He questions the existence of God and relates it to philosophy. Russell gives an example of waking up and sitting on a chair and table of specific shape and color. On the table, he sees printed papers and other images. On the other hand, Phillips makes comparison of religion and philosophy. Both arguments have similarities in that; they use philosophy to discard knowledge. They are also similar because they use the occurrence of natural situations to take a stand. While Russell questions the difference in shades of color that affect the appearance of the table and the contents on it, Phillips questions the existence of God. This shows different ways of arguing by both writers, but the perception of knowledge is the same. The two arguments also have differences in relating their positions and challenging assumptions. Russell relates the general color of the table to the changes brought up by the different lighting conditions. This challenges the initial assumption of the color of the table. The explanation describes the different views of how things are perceived. Introducing the concept of lighting to describe the appearance of the table shows doubt. The example of this setting establishes his argument of doubting the existence of knowledge. On the other hand, Phillips dismisses the beliefs of God’s existence without seeing Him physically. As generations passed, this idea has formed different religions that had various definitions of God’s existence. Phillip states that people should discover God by themselves. This shows that people need further information in order to acquire knowledge. In support of his claim, he outlines the way he should know all other believers better than his perception of God, to acquire knowledge of his existence. His argument shows the difference between knowledge and belief. The relationship between religion and philosophy shows how assumptions affect the information that people perceive. He also shows the relevance of doing further research in order to convert an assumption to knowledge. Reasons That Make Russell a Skeptic Russell is skeptical due to his confusion because of philosophy. He does not believe in the existence of knowledge because of difficulties in tracing the origin and purpose of matter. His skepticism developed because he lacked valid explanations and proof of the occurrence of general settings. He says that personal ideas originating from the mind without any information elsewhere are most probable. He is also skeptical because he believes that there is a difference between reality and appearances. Therefore, he dismisses philosophy because it does not have conclusive answers to the arguments raised. Works Cited Cahn, Steven M. Exploring Philosophy: An Introductory Anthology. New York: Oxford University Press, 2012. Print