Meaning & use
epistemology
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Meaning
noununcountable
The branch of philosophy that studies the nature, sources, and limits of knowledge.
Grammar: Used with a singular verb: 'Epistemology is a core area of philosophy.' It is not usually plural.
Patterns
- epistemology of something
- in epistemology
In epistemology, philosophers ask what it means to know something rather than merely believe it.
She wrote her thesis on the epistemology of perception.
A basic question in epistemology is whether we can know anything at all.
Common combinations
- the epistemology of science
- The epistemology of science examines how scientific knowledge is justified.
- social epistemology
- Social epistemology studies how groups and institutions produce knowledge.
- a question in epistemology
- Whether testimony can be a source of knowledge is a question in epistemology.
- epistemology and metaphysics
- The course covers both epistemology and metaphysics.
Synonyms and how they differ
- theory of knowledge
- A plain-English phrase for the same field; 'epistemology' is the technical term used in academic writing.
Word family
- epistemological adjective
- Relating to epistemology or to the study of knowledge.
- epistemologist noun
- A person who studies epistemology.
- epistemic adjective
- Relating to knowledge or knowing.
- epistemically adverb
- In a way that relates to knowledge.
Commonly confused: epistemology or ontology? epistemology or ethics?
epistemology vs ontology
Ontology is the study of what exists, while epistemology is the study of knowledge and how we know.
epistemology vs ethics
Ethics deals with right and wrong, not with the nature of knowledge.
Practice
What does 'epistemology' study?
Choose one answer.
Epistemology is the philosophical study of knowledge. 'The rules of correct reasoning' describes logic, and the others describe aesthetics and physics.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “epistemology”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.