epistemology

[ih-pis-tuh-mol-uh-jee] /ɪˌpɪs təˈmɒl ə dʒi/

noun

a branch of philosophy that investigates the origin, nature, methods, and limits of human knowledge.

Origin

1855-60; < Greek epistḗm(ē) knowledge + -o- + -logy

Related forms

epistemological

[ih-pis-tuh-muh-loj-i-kuh l] /ɪˌpɪs tə məˈlɒdʒ ɪ kəl/ (Show IPA), adjective

epistemologist, noun

Examples from the web for epistemology

The goal of the games is to focus players on epistemology.
This might serve as the motto for all of Emerson's epistemology.
And in the end, the disagreements that give rise to these debates are typically grounded about questions of epistemology.
The epistemology of science is based on falsification, not proof.
This is the subject of epistemology, a branch of philosophy.
Anderson's epistemology is as insufficient as his model.
It's pretty clear that mainstream econ is still floundering because of weaknesses in epistemology.
As an avid reader not foolish enough to have majored in the humanities, I'm all for enthusiasm and epistemology.
Too bad post-linguistic turn historians no longer have an epistemology or metaphysic that allows them to make such bold claims.
The exclusive, empiricism-centred perspective on epistemology.

British Dictionary definitions for epistemology

epistemology

/ɪˌpɪstɪˈmɒlədʒɪ/

noun

the theory of knowledge, esp the critical study of its validity, methods, and scope

Derived Forms

epistemologist, noun

Word Origin

C19: from Greek epistēmē knowledge

Word Origin and History for epistemology

"theory of knowledge," 1856, coined by Scottish philosopher James F. Ferrier (1808-1864) from Greek episteme "knowledge," from Ionic Greek epistasthai "know how to do, understand," literally "overstand," from epi "over, near" (see epi-) + histasthai "to stand," (see histo-).

The scientific (as opposed to philosophical) study of the roots and paths of knowledge is epistemics (1969). Related: Epistemological; epistemologically.

epistemology in Culture

epistemology [(i-pis-tuh-mol-uh-jee)]

The branch of philosophy concerned with the nature and origin of knowledge. Epistemology asks the question “How do we know what we know?”