Final answer:
Tacit knowledge is gained through personal experiences and insights, making it intuitive and difficult to convey, whereas explicit knowledge is easily shared and codified. It falls under the category of a posteriori knowledge, which is empirical in nature.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer to the student's question is tacit knowledge. Tacit knowledge is the type of knowledge that is internalized and gained through personal experiences, insights, and discoveries. Unlike explicit knowledge, which is easily communicated and shared in the form of hard data or codified procedures, tacit knowledge is more intuitive and less tangible. It is often acquired over time through involvement in specific activities and contexts and can be difficult to articulate or transfer to others.
This distinction is important, as a posteriori knowledge, which depends on experience, is generally empirical. Information, insight, or awareness gained from personal encounters or direct perceptions fall into this category, making it empirical knowledge. It is something that natural sciences often rely upon through the scientific method, consisting of observation, hypothesis testing, and experimentation. In contrast, a priori knowledge is independent of experience, although it can sometimes be learned through experience, as with mathematical truths.
In essence, tacit knowledge is crucial for personal growth and decision-making, as it is derived from individual experiences and internal thoughts that might not be easily expressed.