The easy answer to this would be, "because I learned it". It doesn't matter from where: from a teacher, from friends, books, the news, or just experience. That's how everyone learns. However, I learn so many things every day. I hear tons of sounds, music, words, and see new things and colors. So the real question is, why did my brain choose to retain the information I could currently call to mind if I wanted to? I know what I remember, and those who have a bad memory are just very unlucky.
I could say my brain retains memories that I like, that are interesting, or that are important to me. However, that's not true at all. I know some very random things that will probably be of no use to me in my life, ever. I know things that I wish I didn't. If only I could find some kind of pattern to things I know and remember, maybe I would have a much more definite answer. However, there is no pattern whatsoever. I know what I made an effort to remember and studied. I also know things that I have repeated many times over. I know things my brain just happened to clasp onto at a certain moment when it was susceptible to this random-information-remembering-mechanism. So how do I know it? I just do.
I like your simple response to the question "how do I know what I know?" of "I just do." I think that's very true. We just accept the things we think we know and believe them to be true. It really is that simple if you don't think about it. Of course one could argue that we can't be certain that we know anything for sure, which is partially true. Not everything can be proven, and there will always be someone who doesn't believe. But for our own sanity, it is better to just say "I know this because I know it" than to always be wondering why and questioning everything.
ReplyDeleteI like your thoughts on "How do I know what I know?" it is basically true. We know what we have learned or remembered from what we have experience in our lives although we all living in many different lifestyles
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