A Study of Epistemology

884 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Rationalism and empiricism which one do you believe is the most correct

A Study of Epistemology

In the sixth century B.C., Homer alludes to a separation of knowledge between the mortals and the gods. He speaks of both gods and human beings as “knowing things”- creatures of knowledge. However, there is a “great difference in the quality and the scope of the knowledge available to the two groups” (Everson, Pg.12). For the mortal human being the contrast between “divine and human knowledge”, paired with possible deception by the gods, has led him to question the idea of knowledge as it exists independently, reminding him that there are many things he cannot “know for certain” (Everson, Pg. 13).

Epistemology, as it exists today, is a branch of philosophy that studies knowledge in an attempt to distinguish “true” understanding from “false”. In other words, Epistemology seeks to separate adequate knowledge from the inadequate (Heylighen, Pg. 1). The first theories of such knowledge emphasized the need for an “absolute, permanent character”, whereas proceeding theories looked to the importance of relativity, or what Heylighen calls “situation-dependence” (Heylighen, Pg. 1). As a tangent of basic philosophy, Epistemology has evolved from a study of distinction (between what is “true”, and “false”), to a study of knowledge as formulated through physical evolution, and worldly interference. Presently, there is a move towards a more “evolutionary” approach to epistemology, with an inclination from a “static, passive” interpretation of knowledge towards a more “adaptive and active” one (Heylighen, Pg. 1).

This progression is formally recognized post-renaissance, with the emergence of two main epistemological positions: empiricism and rationalism (Institut fur Evolutions...

... middle of paper ...

...ology as relating to Darwin, Popper, and Campell.

Computational Epistemology Laboratory. U of Waterloo. 5 Sept 2002 http://cogsci.uwaterloo.ca/index.html.

Annotation: This site offers lots of information regarding connections between emotion, empathy, and cognition. Prof. Paul Thagard, organizes the site filtering the study of epistemology through lenses of coherence, emotion, and social collaboration.

“Epistemology”. EpistemeLinks.com. 2002. http://www.epistemelinks.com/Main/MainTopi.aspx.

Annotation: A fabulous reference site including philosophy resource links by historical time period, philosophic subject, tradition, or school of thought.

Books:

Bronowski, Jacob. The Origins of Knowledge and Imagination. Yale University Press.

New Haven: 1978.

Everson, Stephen. Epistemology. Cambridge University Press. New York: 1990.

Show More
Related

  • Paradise of the Blind by Duong Thu Huong

    1213 Words  | 3 Pages

    From the contrast of the slums of Hanoi and the breathtaking beauty of a natural vista, Huong has revealed the impact of this disparity on her protagonist. The author utilises the connection between the land and the villagers of Que’s birthplace to emphasise the steadiness and support the landscape gives, in times of upheaval, illuminating that it is possible to recover from disaster. Despite Huong’s criticism of Vietnam, she emphasises the resilience of the people of Vietnam and the ability for beauty and hope to flourish through oppression.

    Read More

  • Final Paper

    1312 Words  | 3 Pages

    David Brody argues that the rise of contractual or collective bargaining relationships during the post WWII era formalized the relationship between employers and unions, but simultaneously began to put a break on shop floor activism. Explain Brody’s argument and, where relevant, incorporate Weber’s theory of bureaucracy.

    Read More

  • Perspective and the Right Reasons View in Solving Epistemic Disagreements.

    1024 Words  | 3 Pages

    (1) Kelly, Thomas (2005). “The Epistemic Significance of Disagreement.” Oxford Studies in Epistemology. Eds. Tamar Szabo Gendler and John Hawthorne. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Pg.1 – 36.

    Read More

  • Achilles Vs Odysseus

    3801 Words  | 8 Pages

    Homer. ?The Odyssey,? World Masterpieces: Expanded Edition. Maynard Mack ed. Ed. Coptic St.: Prentice, 1995.

    Read More

  • The Reflection Of Empathy, By Stephen Dunn

    755 Words  | 2 Pages

    Empathy is imperative to teach kids from a young age in order to help them recognize mental states, such as thoughts and emotions, in themselves and others. Vital lessons, such as walking in another’s shoes or looking at a situation in their perspective, apprehends the significance of the feelings of another. Our point of view must continuously be altered, recognizing the emotions and background of the individual. We must not focus all of our attention on our self-interest. In the excerpt, Empathy, written by Stephen Dunn, we analyze the process of determining the sentiment of someone.

    Read More

  • The Relationship Between Empathy and Held Stereotypes of the Homeless

    1010 Words  | 3 Pages

    Empathy, is a self-conscious characteristic human beings hold that allows them to understand another individual’s situation and feelings (Segal, Cimino, Gerdes &Wagaman, 2013). In regard to ho...

    Read More

  • Epistemology In The Matrix

    764 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Matrix, directed by the Wachowski sisters, is a film that discusses free will, artificial intelligence and poses a question: ‘How do we know that our world is real?’ This question is covered in the philosophical branch of epistemology. Epistemology is a component of philosophy that is concerned with the theory of knowledge. The exploration of reality is referenced in the film when Neo discovers he has been living in an artificial world called ‘The Matrix’. He is shocked to learn that the world in which he grew up is a computer program that simulates reality. The questioning of knowledge and its irreversibility provoked by The Matrix invites the audience to wonder whether their own world is an imitation of true reality, thus making it a

    Read More

  • Linda Zagzebski: A Virtue Based Definition of Knowledge

    1062 Words  | 3 Pages

    How we approach the question of knowledge is pivotal. If the definition of knowledge is a necessary truth, then we should aim for a real definition for theoretical and practical knowledge. Methodology examines the purpose for the definition and how we arrived to it. The reader is now aware of the various ways to dissect what knowledge is. This entails the possibility of knowledge being a set of truths; from which it follows that one cannot possibly give a single definition. The definition given must therefore satisfy certain desiderata , while being strong enough to demonstrate clarity without losing the reader. If we base our definition on every counter-example that disproves our original definition then it becomes ad hoc. This is the case for our current defini...

    Read More

  • Discussion of the Pre-Socratics

    1766 Words  | 4 Pages

    Socrates is easily one of the most well known names in the history of philosophy. He is even portrayed via the magic of Hollywood time travel in the popular movie “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure” and was more recently quoted inaccurately on a t-shirt as saying, “I drank what?” Despite his fame, Socrates was not the first philosopher by far, and certainly not the earliest to make meaningful contributions to the field of philosophy. Some of the great “Pre-Socratics” include Anaximenes, Parmenides, Xenophane, and Democritus. The philosophical issues of their days were significantly different from the popular discussions today, though no less relevant, and provide ample fodder for the cannon of philosophical consideration. The issues in consideration here that may benefit from discussion are the problem of the one and the many, the distinction between phusis and nomos as regards the nature of god(s), and distinction between appearance and reality. Appropriate and thorough discussion of these topics in the pre-Socratic context is certain to yield insight into the connection between these three issues.

    Read More

  • Acute Myeloid Leukemia

    525 Words  | 2 Pages

    Leukemia is a form of blood cancer that makes more white blood cells than red blood cells in the bone marrow. The white cells don’t work the way we use the red blood cells. Our body uses red blood cells to function properly not white blood cells. All the white blood cells do is fight infections. The extra white blood cells do not work right and that causes problems in your body and that’s when leukemia starts.

    Read More

  • Epistemology: Reflecting on Knowledge

    1213 Words  | 3 Pages

    Truth and beliefs contribute in building the knowledge of a person. Cogent reasons for the beliefs convert the beliefs into knowledge. However, sometimes the beliefs are actually assumption, so they may be wrong. Truth is the facts known from different sources. Something can be considered as knowledge, only if it is true. The word epistemology refers to studying the source of knowledge. The epistemology helps in understanding the process of development of knowledge, sources of knowledge and makes distinctions between belief and actual truth. I critically examined and analyzed the origin and the process of acquiring the knowledge for the two essays I wrote earlier. One essay, an analytical one, was written on the subject of increasing prison population and improper justice system. The second essay was written on the subject of human resource management. To develop the knowledge and understanding I demonstrated in the essays, I had to search for resources, rationalize the information gained and evaluate it in conjunction with my personal beliefs.

    Read More

  • The Human-like Gods

    1158 Words  | 3 Pages

    Because of the under development of science, Ancient Greeks used mythologies and associated to the gods anything that they could not explain or understand, which also have revealed many aspects of their culture and society, including their views toward gods. Through the survived works of ancient Greeks, one can see that the concept of exchange plays a center role in the relationship between human beings and gods; and that the ancient Greeks had absolutely and undeniably respect for their gods, who are human-like and demand to be glorified.

    Read More

  • Labor Movement

    1809 Words  | 4 Pages

    The current labor movement in human relations, business and industry has deep roots in the past and is continuing to evolve in the present. The struggle for survival and the drive to become successful in society, and the business world, fuel the current activities. Grassroots movements for fair wages and tolerable working conditions bring workers together to collectively affect change through the formalized organization of labor unions. Social theorists have over the past century, attempted to explain the complex processes that occur within labor movements. Mishel & Walters theorize that collective bargaining units have a positive impact upon human relations, and labor negotiations within business, industry and politics. While some of their views are supported by popular social theories, other theorists’ suggestions contrast sharply with their opinions.

    Read More

  • Animal Emotions

    1281 Words  | 3 Pages

    One scientist, Damasio, provided an explanation how emotions can be felt in humans biologically. Damasio suggested, “Various brain structures map both the organism and external objects to create what he calls a second order representation. This mapping of the organism and the object most likely occurs in the thalamus and cingulate cortices. A sense of self in the act of knowing is created, and the individual knows “to whom this is happening.” The “seer” and the “seen,” the “thought” and the “thinker” are one in the same.” By mapping the brain scientists can have a better understandi...

    Read More

  • The Three Stages Of Ancient, Medieval, And Western Philosophy

    1106 Words  | 3 Pages

    Overall, the transition or the development between the three stages of philosophy differs by reason and faith. Ancient philosophy focused on faith and reason versus Medieval and Modern philosophy has a separation between reason and faith. The main theme of the development of “Western Philosophy” is faith and reason. In the conclusion of this paper, I already discussed the development of Western philosophy, and the historical standpoint of the how philosophy became what it is

    Read More

More about A Study of Epistemology

Open Document