Epistemological Discipline

An Epistemological Discipline is a philosophical discipline that is a knowledge inquiry discipline that investigates the nature, sources, limitations, and validity of knowledge and justified belief.

• AKA: Epistemology, Theory of Knowledge.
• Context:
  • It can typically analyze Knowledge Conditions through tripartite analysis.
  • It can typically examine Justification Methods for belief validation.
  • It can typically investigate Truth Theories and truth conditions.
  • It can typically evaluate Epistemic Sources of knowledge acquisition.
  • It can typically address Skeptical Challenges to knowledge claims.
  • ...
  • It can often distinguish A Priori Knowledge from a posteriori knowledge.
  • It can often analyze Epistemic Virtues in knowledge pursuit.
  • It can often examine Testimony as epistemic source.
  • It can often investigate Epistemic Norms for rational belief.
  • ...
  • It can range from being an Internalist Epistemology Discipline to being an Externalist Epistemology Discipline, depending on its epistemic justification view.
  • It can range from being a Foundationalist Epistemology Discipline to being a Coherentist Epistemology Discipline, depending on its epistemic structure view.
  • It can range from being a Rationalist Epistemology Discipline to being an Empiricist Epistemology Discipline, depending on its epistemic source priority.
  • ...
  • It can employ Conceptual Analysis for epistemic concepts.
  • It can utilize Thought Experiments for epistemic scenarios.
  • It can apply Logical Analysis for epistemic reasoning.
  • It can use Case Study Methods for epistemic intuitions.
  • ...
• Example(s):
  • Classical Epistemology Theories, such as:
    • Empiricism Philosophy emphasizing sensory experience as primary knowledge source.
    • Rationalism Philosophy emphasizing reason as primary knowledge source.
    • Pragmatism Philosophy emphasizing practical consequences for truth determination.
    • Skepticism Philosophy questioning knowledge possibility and certainty.
  • Contemporary Epistemology Theories, such as:
    • Reliabilism Theory focusing on reliable cognitive processes.
    • Virtue Epistemology emphasizing intellectual virtues.
    • Social Epistemology examining collective knowledge and testimony.
    • Naturalized Epistemology integrating empirical sciences.
  • Specialized Epistemology Areas, such as:
    • Formal Epistemology using mathematical tools and probability theory.
    • Applied Epistemology addressing practical knowledge problems.
    • Feminist Epistemology examining gender influences on knowledge.
    • Religious Epistemology investigating religious knowledge and faith.
  • Historical Epistemology Periods, such as:
    • Ancient Epistemology (6th century BCE-5th century CE), including Platonic epistemology.
    • Medieval Epistemology (5th-15th century), including Scholastic epistemology.
    • Modern Epistemology (17th-19th century), including Cartesian epistemology.
    • Contemporary Epistemology (20th century-present), including Analytic epistemology.
  • ...
• Counter-Example(s):
  • Metaphysics Philosophy Discipline, which investigates existence and reality rather than knowledge and justification.
  • Logic Discipline, which studies valid reasoning forms rather than knowledge nature.
  • Psychology Discipline, which empirically studies cognitive processes rather than epistemic norms.
  • Information Science, which manages information systems rather than knowledge foundations.
  • Cognitive Science, which models mental processes rather than epistemic justification.
• See: Philosophy Discipline, Knowledge, Justified Belief, Truth, Philosophical Method, Skepticism, Certainty.

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References

2014

• (Wikipedia, 2014) ⇒ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/epistemology Retrieved:2014-1-11.
  • Epistemology ( /ɪ-ˌpɪstɪ-ˈmɒlədʒi/ ) is the branch of philosophy concerned with the nature and scope of knowledge and is also referred to as "theory of knowledge". It questions what knowledge is and how it can be acquired, and the extent to which knowledge pertinent to any given subject or entity can be acquired. Much of the debate in this field has focused on the philosophical analysis of the nature of knowledge and how it relates to connected notions such as truth, belief, and justification. The term "epistemology" was introduced by the Scottish philosopher James Frederick Ferrier (1808–1864).

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