19. Are Senses the only Gateways of Knowledge?

“There is no way in which to understand the world without first detecting it through the radar-net of our senses…”

- Daine Ackerman (1948-?) American Poet,writer and naturalist


Teacher trainees in the college where I teach, are usually sensitized to the different sources of knowledge at the commencement of their course. During my own training, I was given to understand that knowledge is gained primarily through the senses. Hence activity-based learning was given top priority.

During introductory talks a series of examples are provided and the trainees have to identify the correct sense through which a given knowledge is acquired. The examples usually refer to the five senses-touch, taste, smell, sight and hearing.

Now let us think of the following incident . A middle-aged man after collecting his salary from the district Treasury, kept the cash safely in his trouser pocket and boarded a crowded bus to go home. When he alighted from the bus, he thought of buying some candies for his little daughter. But, when he ran his hands through the trouser pocket he was shocked to find his cash missing”. This incident taught the man the following lesson:

* Pickpocket are in the loose in the city.

* Never board a crowded bus when your trouser pocket is stuffed with cash.

* Carry little cash when you travel.

Now dear reader, can you guess through which ‘sense’ did the man acquire this knowledge?

Well… don’t tell me it is ‘common sense’ !

Don’t you think, experience coupled with reflection can also become a source of knowledge?