Theory Of Knowledge Epistemology Study Cards

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Theory of Knowledge

The branch of philosophy that examines the nature of knowledge, belief, and justification.

Nature of Knowledge

The study of what knowledge is and how it can be acquired, including questions about truth, certainty, and skepticism.

Belief and Justification

The examination of how beliefs are formed and justified, and the criteria for determining whether a belief is rational or justified.

Empiricism

The philosophical theory that knowledge is primarily derived from sensory experience and observation.

Rationalism

The philosophical theory that knowledge is primarily derived from reason and logical deduction.

Skepticism

The philosophical position that doubts or suspends judgment on various claims, particularly those that are commonly accepted.

Reliabilism

The theory that knowledge is justified true belief that is produced by a reliable cognitive process.

Coherentism

The theory that knowledge is a coherent system of beliefs that mutually support and justify each other.

Foundationalism

The theory that knowledge is based on foundational beliefs or basic principles that are self-evident or indubitable.

Internalism and Externalism

Debates about whether the justification of knowledge depends solely on internal factors (e.g., mental states) or also on external factors (e.g., reliability of evidence).

Gettier Problem

A philosophical problem that challenges the traditional definition of knowledge by presenting cases where a justified true belief does not seem to be sufficient for knowledge.

Inductive Reasoning

A form of reasoning that uses specific observations or evidence to make generalizations or predictions.

Deductive Reasoning

A form of reasoning that uses general principles or premises to reach specific conclusions.

A Priori and A Posteriori Knowledge

A priori knowledge is knowledge that is independent of experience, while a posteriori knowledge is knowledge that is derived from experience.

Epistemic Justification

The process of providing reasons or evidence to support a belief or claim as being true or justified.

Epistemic Closure

The principle that if a person knows a proposition P, and P entails Q, then the person also knows Q.

Epistemic Relativism

The view that the truth or justification of knowledge claims is relative to a particular perspective or framework.

Epistemic Norms

The standards or rules that govern the acquisition, justification, and evaluation of knowledge.

Epistemic Virtues

Intellectual virtues or character traits that contribute to the acquisition and maintenance of knowledge, such as open-mindedness, curiosity, and intellectual humility.

Epistemic Luck

The role of luck or chance in the acquisition of knowledge, and how it affects the justification or reliability of beliefs.

Epistemic Contextualism

The view that the meaning or truth conditions of knowledge claims depend on the context or circumstances in which they are made.

Epistemic Authority

The concept of relying on the expertise or testimony of others as a source of knowledge or justification.

Epistemic Responsibility

The ethical and epistemic duty to seek and evaluate evidence, and to critically reflect on one's own beliefs and knowledge claims.

Epistemic Injustice

The unfair distribution of epistemic goods (e.g., knowledge, credibility) and the harm it causes to individuals or groups.

Epistemic Humility

The recognition of the limits of one's own knowledge and the willingness to revise or abandon beliefs in light of new evidence or arguments.

Epistemic Peer Disagreement

The situation where two or more individuals who are equally rational and well-informed hold conflicting beliefs or judgments.

Epistemic Paradoxes

Logical or conceptual puzzles that challenge our understanding of knowledge, such as the Liar Paradox or the Sorites Paradox.

Epistemic Fallibilism

The view that knowledge is fallible and subject to revision or correction in light of new evidence or arguments.

Epistemic Nihilism

The skeptical position that denies the possibility of knowledge or meaningful justification.

Epistemic Realism

The view that there are objective truths or facts about the world that can be known and justified.

Epistemic Idealism

The view that knowledge is ultimately grounded in or dependent on the mind or consciousness.

Epistemic Constructivism

The view that knowledge is constructed or created by individuals or communities, rather than discovered or revealed.

Epistemic Pluralism

The recognition of multiple legitimate ways of knowing or justifying beliefs, without privileging one over the others.

Epistemic Intuitionism

The view that some knowledge or justification is based on immediate or self-evident intuitions or insights.

Epistemic Coherence

The idea that beliefs or knowledge claims are more justified if they cohere or fit together with other beliefs in a systematic and consistent way.