Aristotle’s theory of knowledge

Aristotle’s theory of knowledge states that, to access the truth, it is necessary for the understanding to synthesize sensory stimuli.

This philosopher is considered one of the most excellent . He was born in 384 BC. C. and died in 322 BC. C. His works shaped many later philosophical theories. Even today his writings continue to be studied with great interest; These cover a wide range of disciplines, including logic, metaphysics, philosophy of mind, ethics, political theory, aesthetics and the theory of knowledge.

Next, we will explain what his theory of knowledge consists of.

Aristotle and his theory of knowledge

As with Plato, in Aristotle’s studies we find a not very elaborate theory of knowledge. However, Explicit passages are identified that analyze knowledge from different aspects.

From these, we can deduce some basic characteristics of Aristotelian epistemology, summarized below.

Aristotle divides knowledge into three areas: theoretical knowledge, practical knowledge and productive knowledge.

Levels in the theory of knowledge

In the works of Aristotle we find levels or degrees of knowledge. The most basic level is the sensitive, which is derived directly from the senses (perception). It consists of immediate and fleeting knowledge. This disappears with the sensation that generated it and is typical of lower animals.

In higher animals, including humans, sensitive memory and imagination intervene which produce a more persistent type of knowledge. This process is what generates the experience.

The highest level of knowledge is that which is represented by the activity of understanding, which allows us to know the why of things, as well as the causes of objects. This knowledge necessarily arises from experience and will only be true if it is capable of explaining the cause of what exists.

Three types of knowledge

In Aristotle’s theory of knowledge there is a hierarchical categorization of knowledge, given that knowledge can occur at different levels. These are the following:

Productive knowledge: is the most basic. It is technical knowledge, the objective of which is the manufacture of useful objects. For example, this type of knowledge is typical of carpentry.Practical knowledge: It is superior to the previous one and refers to the ability to rationally order behavior, both public and private. This type of knowledge is of an ethical-political nature, since it seeks virtue and the rule of “good action.”Contemplative or theoretical knowledge: it does not respond to any type of interest, productive or practical, and represents the highest form of knowledge that leads to wisdom. This knowledge refers to the way things themselves are.

The senses as a starting point

So far, we see that Aristotle’s theory of knowledge places sensation and experience as the only sources of knowledge, because they put us in contact with the reality of concrete substances. However, true knowledge, concerning the causes and principles of things in themselves, is obtained when understanding works on our sensations and our experience.

The world is made up of substances, which are composed of matter and form (its essence). For example, in the case of the substance “man”, the matter would be the body and the form would correspond to the soul.

True knowledge occurs when understanding works on sensations and experience.

True knowledge involves accounting for the form of the known object. But, as we already saw, the form is found in the substance. So, to grasp the form, it is absolutely necessary to have grasped the substance, previously, through the senses. In this way, the understanding cannot come into direct contact with the form.

When man is born, he does not have any mental content, therefore, the understanding has no material to work with. In other words, the understanding acquires its objects of knowledge, as the subject grasps the substances through experience.

Concept creation

True knowledge is about form, according to Aristotle’s theory of knowledge. This is the essence that defines the object, that is, it is what allows a thing to be what it is and not another. Continuing with the example of “man”, the soul is what defines the human being as such.

Forms are universal concepts that encompass all individuals in a given group. For example, the substance “dog” is composed of the body (which is individual and characteristic of each being) and its form (which makes it a dog and not something else). In this case, the canine essence is what all dogs have in common and is what allows the creation of a universal concept for that substance.

The senses can only capture the individual: the sensible forms of concrete substances, while The understanding is responsible for capturing the universal or its form through the abstraction of objects. Thus, Aristotle proposes an inductive process, since one goes from the particular to the universal.

Aristotle’s legacy

Aristotle’s theory of knowledge is the basis of one of the most important philosophical currents: empiricism.. He is even considered the first empiricist in history.

The influence of Aristotle has permeated many other currents of thought, even contemporary ones. This great thinker is recognized as one of the most important predecessors of his field of study. An example is the Christianity of the Middle Ages, whose doctrine contains many of his ideas.

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