Epistemology is the branch of philosophy that investigates the origin, nature, methods and limits of human knowledge. It seeks to understand what knowledge is, how it is acquired, and what can be known. There are different theories about the nature of knowledge, including empiricism which believes knowledge comes from sensory experience, rationalism which believes knowledge comes from reason, and idealism which believes reality is associated with ideas rather than material objects. Skepticism also questions the extent and limitations of human knowledge. Epistemologists explore questions around whether knowledge is possible and what types of knowledge exist.