This type of knowledge requires very little prior knowledge, because it is based on our sensory perception of the object directly as we experience it. There is no need to have knowledge of some greater truth or phenomenon to better understand that the color red is red, and not green. It simply is what it is, and nothing else. This type of knowledge is in direct contrast to knowledge by description, where we need some sort of further explanation to really grasp the concept of the knowledge or phenomenon at hand. A greater depth of knowledge thus comes from knowledge by description, since we must build on our initial sensory knowledge. Such knowledge then allows us to make assumptions and conclusions based on relationships and characteristics that we can build upon from our initial sensory data as acquired through acquaintance.
This contrast brings to...
It is the very foundation for later knowledge, yes, which makes it a crucial element in understanding the world around us. Knowledge by acquaintance provides us the foundation to build on future knowledge. Yet, by itself it is lacking. Personally, I believe that you must build on the knowledge you receive through acquaintance in order to truly compile a thorough and constructive view of the world. If we rely on our knowledge by acquaintance alone, then we miss making the connections between that knowledge and other elements we may have learned in the past or what we will learn in the future. The ability to build on knowledge by acquaintance is what provides with true knowledge of the world. Thus, it is a crucial foundation, but does have gaps if relied on by it alone.
