Final answer:
The quote expresses the idea that active engagement and observation are essential for acquiring knowledge, emphasizing the role of sensory experience and interaction as foundational elements. It highlights the importance of recognizing the limitations of our understanding and maintaining humility in the pursuit of knowledge to avoid the negative consequences of asserting false expertise.
Step-by-step explanation:
The quote “Knowledge comes by eyes always open and working hands; and there is no knowledge that is not power.” encapsulates several interpretations related to the pursuit, acquisition, and impact of knowledge. A consistent theme across the interpretations is the notion that active engagement and observation are fundamental in gaining knowledge. This concept aligns with philosophical and empirical approaches to knowledge acquisition. Empiricism, as mentioned with reference to John Locke, posits that knowledge arises from experience, suggesting that sensory data (the open eyes) and interaction with the world (the working hands) are the foundations upon which knowledge is built. Furthermore, there's recognition of the limitations of knowledge and the importance of acknowledging the boundaries of what we understand, which ties back to Socratic humility in recognizing one's own ignorance. This suggests that the pursuit of knowledge is not only about gathering facts but also about developing wisdom and the discernment of when to acknowledge uncertainty.
Philosophical know-how encompasses not just an accumulation of facts but an understanding of how these facts relate and interact, reminiscent of the quote's implication that combining sensory input with action leads to empowerment through knowledge. The acknowledgment that there's much we don't know fuels the drive for lifelong learning and cautions against the potential dangers and ethical ramifications of feigned knowledge.