How do we obtain knowledge?

Knowledge may be originated from different ways of

knowing. They gives us better understanding of the world therefore help to construct our
areas of knowledge. Two ways of knowing: Reason and Emotion are discussed below.
By definition, reason is the cause, explanation, or justification for an action or event. It is
formed based on going beyond the immediate experience of our senses. Reason is closely
linked to logic--the deducing of valid conclusions from given starting points or premises.
We use reasoning in daily basis to built our knowledge and to evaluate it. We deal with
reason in various ways. When we generalise particular observations of the world into
statements on their common characteristics, this is a process of inductive reasoning. In
deductive reasoning, we take generalised or acceptable statements and apply them to
individual cases in order to understand new situations.
We use reason establish areas of knowledge gained in everyday of our lives. It is observed
that everyone of us have legs, this became an universal statements that apply to every
single dog. All dogs have four legs It undergoes reason in an inductive way as the
observations of each persons legs can justify the general statements. On the other hand,
in school, we use deductive reasoning in mathematical questions. If a=b, b=c, we can say
a=c. When the first statement (a=b) is true and the reasoning is valid, then the conclusion
is also right , building based on reason. Thats how we obtain knowledge from reason.
Moving on to emotion as another way of knowing. It is stated that emotion is a strong
feeling deriving from ones circumstances, mood, or relationships with others. It
accompany us that we can scarcely consider any other ways of knowing without their
interwoven emotions. Our sense perception, imagination, memory and faith is affected by
our emotions. Moreover, we understand our emotions by what we know, think, believe,
desire and value.
Most areas of knowledge are motivated by emotion in search for creation of knowledge. In
Arts, artists often uses their artwork to convey certain emotions. Drawing a persons sad
face may create an atmosphere of feeling depressed. We can react to the artwork by
sense perception first, then interpret it through their emotions. A sad face gives emotions
of The artist is not happy
Both ways of knowing acknowledged are differentiated, one key question to be explored is
to what extent they benefit or hinder us in building up the picture of the world, and the
relationship between both ways in terms of acquisition of knowledge. We have to evaluate
these ways of knowing by knowledge issues relevant to daily and academic examples.
Which is more reliable?

As mentioned above, reason can guide us to mathematical conclusions. However, even if

two premises sound reasonable doesnt mean the conclusion is correct. For instance, we
can say We exists as human being, at the same time, Dogs exists., but the conclusion
Dogs are human being is incorrect. Reasoning deductively may not be the best way to
get knowledge. Other limitations include: How many observations is enough to justify a
good inductive generalisation or conclusion? Yes, we saw 100 dogs with four legs, but we
cannot be 100 percent sure that rest of the existing dogs have four legs too.
We are not very rational as we though we would be. We rely on systematic thinking much
less than we think we do, and instead subconsciously we prefer to adopt the more efficient
automatic thinking. We find reasons compelling, because we emotionally hold the beliefs.
It is very similar to believing that an premise is valid because we believe that the
conclusion is true. This is true in real life where we think that we are reasonable but in fact
we believe before accepting the reasons, we make mistake of stereotyping reason and
emotion. The statement of boys are stronger then girls is a stereotype not based on
reason. In fact assuming that reason and emotion are alternatives at opposite ends of a
spectrum sets up a false dilemma.
As for emotion, although it is a physical behaviour, it is influenced by our beliefs. Strong
emotions can be an obstacle in acquiring knowledge in rational way. Take Art as an
example again. Different people have different emotions for the same artwork. Some say it
evolves sadness while others may think it symbolises fear. Emotions are more personal, it
may be affected by previous experiences or the way of thinking. Thats why some often
consider emotion as an unreliable way of knowing, which is somehow less useful than
reason. Yet, it could be the key to unlocking an understanding of who we are, helping us to
gain personal knowledge. Thats why artists use their works to
As we can see, reason is a rather objective way of knowing, using reason we aspire to
overcome the diversity of subjective interpretations of reality to achieve logical and factual
knowledge that can be universally accepted as true. For emotion, it is a matter of
subjectivity, which involves human interpretation of reality in various perspectives.
Emotions provides array of experiences and understanding of the daily world.
Reason is more universal whereas emotion is concept of relativity. The conclusion about
Dogs have four legs can be considered universal as the observation made by each of us
will be the same, it is a statement that everyone agrees with. On the contrary, there is not a
specific definition for the emotion feeling happy. To what extent a person can be happy?
Lets say everyone experiences a different extent of happiness when they receive $1000.
The poor might be more happy then rich ones.

In conclusion, reason and emotion both have their pros and cons. Though reason can
guide us through logical experiences which can result in both inductive or deductively, if we
are not rational, some statements may be wrong. Emotions can guide us to understanding
of personal knowledge but there is no exact answer for a problem when it comes to
emotion.