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Epistemology

Epistemology refers to the branch of philosophy that deals with knowledge, including the methods, natures, validity, and limitations of knowledge and belief. James Frederick Ferrier first introduced the word epistemology in the 1800s, deriving it from the Greek word episteme, meaning knowledge, and the Greek word logos, meaning explanation. As the study of knowledge or justified belief, epistemology involves the following questions:

In a broader sense, epistemology deals with issues about the formation and dissemination of knowledge in specific areas of inquiry. A great deal of the debate in the field of epistemology focuses on examining the nature of knowledge and its relationship to related notions such as belief, truth and justification. Epistemology also deals with the methods of producing knowledge, and skepticism about various knowledge claims.

Philosophers distinguish between practical reason (knowing how) and theoretical reason (knowing that). Epistemology mainly concerns the latter. Many languages have different words for these two different types of knowledge, but not English.

Most epistemologists accept Plato's definition of knowledge as justified true belief. While a person can mistakenly believe something untrue, a person cannot consciously know something without believing it. While most philosophers can agree on the basic distinction between knowledge, belief, justification, and truth, these philosophers often argue about what constitutes justification, and thus what one needs to know the truth of something rather than just believe in it.

The regress problem confounds many people. The regress problem refers to the fact that, if each justification requires a justification, then that leads to an infinite regress of justifications. The skeptic uses this to argue that nobody can fully justify anything, and nobody can know anything.

Most epistemological philosophies or theories attempt to offer a theory of knowledge that defeats skepticism and/or explain away other problems in epistemology. Some of these includes contextualism, fallibilism, constructivism, rationalism, foundherentism, coherentism, foundationalism, and infinitism.

Of course, some people may believe in nihilism, which says that no truths exists at all.

Besides academics, many people use the study of epistemology for more practical reasons. Most notably, issues of law rely heavily on epistemology when it comes to proving guilt or innocence of an accused person, as well as finding out criminal intent by ascertaining whether the person knew a certain fact before committing a certain deed.

Other common applications of epistemology include:

We hope this article answered all of your questions about epistemology. If you have any remaining questions, or if you have any comments or suggestions, please post them in our Philosophy Forums.

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2023 Philosophy Books of the Month

Entanglement - Quantum and Otherwise

Entanglement - Quantum and Otherwise
by John K Danenbarger
January 2023

Mark Victor Hansen, Relentless: Wisdom Behind the Incomparable Chicken Soup for the Soul

Mark Victor Hansen, Relentless: Wisdom Behind the Incomparable Chicken Soup for the Soul
by Mitzi Perdue
February 2023

Rediscovering the Wisdom of Human Nature: How Civilization Destroys Happiness

Rediscovering the Wisdom of Human Nature: How Civilization Destroys Happiness
by Chet Shupe
March 2023

The Unfakeable Code®

The Unfakeable Code®
by Tony Jeton Selimi
April 2023

The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are

The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are
by Alan Watts
May 2023

2022 Philosophy Books of the Month

Emotional Intelligence At Work

Emotional Intelligence At Work
by Richard M Contino & Penelope J Holt
January 2022

Free Will, Do You Have It?

Free Will, Do You Have It?
by Albertus Kral
February 2022

My Enemy in Vietnam

My Enemy in Vietnam
by Billy Springer
March 2022

2X2 on the Ark

2X2 on the Ark
by Mary J Giuffra, PhD
April 2022

The Maestro Monologue

The Maestro Monologue
by Rob White
May 2022

What Makes America Great

What Makes America Great
by Bob Dowell
June 2022

The Truth Is Beyond Belief!

The Truth Is Beyond Belief!
by Jerry Durr
July 2022

Living in Color

Living in Color
by Mike Murphy
August 2022 (tentative)

The Not So Great American Novel

The Not So Great American Novel
by James E Doucette
September 2022

Mary Jane Whiteley Coggeshall, Hicksite Quaker, Iowa/National Suffragette And Her Speeches

Mary Jane Whiteley Coggeshall, Hicksite Quaker, Iowa/National Suffragette And Her Speeches
by John N. (Jake) Ferris
October 2022

In It Together: The Beautiful Struggle Uniting Us All

In It Together: The Beautiful Struggle Uniting Us All
by Eckhart Aurelius Hughes
November 2022

The Smartest Person in the Room: The Root Cause and New Solution for Cybersecurity

The Smartest Person in the Room
by Christian Espinosa
December 2022

2021 Philosophy Books of the Month

The Biblical Clock: The Untold Secrets Linking the Universe and Humanity with God's Plan

The Biblical Clock
by Daniel Friedmann
March 2021

Wilderness Cry: A Scientific and Philosophical Approach to Understanding God and the Universe

Wilderness Cry
by Dr. Hilary L Hunt M.D.
April 2021

Fear Not, Dream Big, & Execute: Tools To Spark Your Dream And Ignite Your Follow-Through

Fear Not, Dream Big, & Execute
by Jeff Meyer
May 2021

Surviving the Business of Healthcare: Knowledge is Power

Surviving the Business of Healthcare
by Barbara Galutia Regis M.S. PA-C
June 2021

Winning the War on Cancer: The Epic Journey Towards a Natural Cure

Winning the War on Cancer
by Sylvie Beljanski
July 2021

Defining Moments of a Free Man from a Black Stream

Defining Moments of a Free Man from a Black Stream
by Dr Frank L Douglas
August 2021

If Life Stinks, Get Your Head Outta Your Buts

If Life Stinks, Get Your Head Outta Your Buts
by Mark L. Wdowiak
September 2021

The Preppers Medical Handbook

The Preppers Medical Handbook
by Dr. William W Forgey M.D.
October 2021

Natural Relief for Anxiety and Stress: A Practical Guide

Natural Relief for Anxiety and Stress
by Dr. Gustavo Kinrys, MD
November 2021

Dream For Peace: An Ambassador Memoir

Dream For Peace
by Dr. Ghoulem Berrah
December 2021