Epistemology

Epistemology means the theory of knowledge. Main questions in Epistemology are...

  • What is the nature of knowledge?
  • What are the obstacles to the attainment of knowledge?
  • What can be known?
  • How does knowledge differ from belief?

How is knowledge obtained?

  • Empirisism: Knowledge can be obtained with our senses. But it can't be trusted always(eg. Optical Illusions).
  • Rationalism: Knowledge can be obtained through reasoning.

Types of Knowledge

  • Propositional Knowledge: Knowledge of facts(Eg. 3-1=2, A dog has 4 legs). This is what Epistemology traditionally focuses on.
  • Practical Knowledge: Skill/Know-how(Eg. driving).

What is Knowledge?

Knowledge is "Justified True Belief". Someone know a Proposition only if...

  • Proposition is true
  • Subject believes(not just a hunch) the Proposition
  • Subject is justified in the belief

Exceptions to this are called a "Gettier Case". A justified true belief that was true by luck and not competence. Eg. You check time on a broken clock exactly at the correct time that is shown on the clock.

References

Links to this note

Bayesian Epistemology

Beliefs should have a defined degree of certainity rather than a binary true/false(like in classical Epistemology). Laws of Probability Probability of a certain statement S is P(S) Probability Range Principle For any event

Western Philosophy Timeline

Note: These are still a Work In Progress. Some cleanup required. Ancient Philosophy Pre-socratic Thales of Miletus Often referred to as the Father of Science Idea: Everything in the world is made out of water Ionian

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Published on: Aug 03, 2021

Source: Introduction to Epistemology

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