Epistemology is the study of how humans gain knowledge and the relationship between the mind and the external realm. Philosophers, like Russell, recognize that quotidian scenarios cannot be taken for granted and that interrogating the everyday opens up pressing questions about the way humans come to conclusions. Humans take in sense data, resulting in a sensation. They form acquaintances with some objects and develop knowledge of universals. Their past experiences inform their thought processes, including the connections that they draw between things. They use inductive reasoning to make decisions.

Philosophers seek answers to how humans interact with the world and think. The Problems of Philosophy calls on previous epistemology study to explore how people move from direct knowledge through acquaintance to intuitive knowledge. As Russell moves between concepts, he calls upon previous philosophical traditions, such as idealism and empiricism, and examines their value.

Rather than dismissing these ideas, he takes a balanced approach that incorporates multiple aspects of various philosophies to develop a comprehensive understanding of the nature of knowledge.