Rutland 2
An examination into the existence of thought began with the Socratic philosophers including Aristotle and Plato. It is a question that was delved into much deeper by great thinker such as Descartes, Heidegger, Husserl, and Gadmer. The questions of knowledge that will be focused on here include the acquisition of knowledge, and perspective and its ability to shape ones view of all that surrounds him. The following will examine several influences on the individual that create, shape, and form his perspective leading him to a singular knowledge base. The concepts of perspective and horizon will be expanded upon to lead to the conclusion that knowledge is solely an individual endeavor that exists differently in every human being past, present, or future. Bias is inevitable in every human interaction be it literary, artistic, experiential, or linguistic. The perspective of no two individuals will be the same leading to a different understanding of even the most basic principle. The following definitions from Webster’s unabridged dictionary will help to frame the argument:
Perspective: the state of one's ideas, the facts known to one, etc., in having a meaningful interrelationship.
Horizon: the limit or range of perception, knowledge, or the like.
Bias: a particular tendency or inclination, esp. one that prevents unprejudiced consideration of a question; prejudice.
Knowledge : (i) expertise, and skills acquired by a person through experience or education; the theoretical or practical understanding of a subject, (ii) what is known in a
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