Wannamaker Summary - Chapter 3

Chapter Summary Of The Philosophy Of Freedom
Olin D. Wannamaker

Chapter 3 Thinking As The Instrument Of Knowledge
In the search for the element within us which also belong to the world, let us examine the process of our normal striving for knowledge. All knowledge arises from the combined activities of observation and thinking; that is, from thinking about what is observed. But there is only one exceptional act of observation and thinking --in regard to which we test directly and conclusively the validity of thinking as the instrument of knowledge-- and that is, in observing a completed process of the activity of thinking itself. Here alone are the instrument of knowledge and the object to be known identical in nature; therefore, suited without doubt to each other. If we succeed in practicing this exceptional act of observation, we know with complete certitude the nature of thinking, that is, we establish beyond doubt, for ourselves that thinking, in this case, is a dependable instrument of knowledge.

Since thinking gives true knowledge of this one object of observation --the activity of thinking itself-- we may hope, at least, that it gives true knowledge also in regard to other objects of observation. But this we cannot at once assume to be true. What is true in thinking about thinking may not be true in thinking about something utterly unlike thinking. We must first consider the question of whether thinking and these other objects of observation are mutually suited to each other, or whether thinking introduces something which is alien to the object of observation and thus mislead us.

This we must now seek to determine.

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