Epistemology What is knowledge? and How do we know things?

“Knowledge” We use the word all the time. We seem to have a shared understanding of what it means. Yet, it is difficult to actually define it. How do you think about “knowledge”?

“Knowledge” could be considered something Inside the Brain

“Knowledge” could be considered Multidimensional and Complicated

“Knowledge” could be considered Abstract and Mysterious

“Knowledge” could be considered Confusing

Knowledge is all these things…

But, We can try to simplify it !

Many Philosophers Say… Knowledge is “Justified True Beliefs” or JTB

Knowledge is Things you believe that you can justify that are true

3 Alternative Views of “Truth” Truth is Objective Truth is Subjective Truth is Relative –relative to some system of justification –relative to some social group

Knowledge is Things you believe that you can justify that are true Statements that you believe that you can justify within some system of justification to the satisfaction of most people who operate within that system.

Clearly, these are all expressed beliefs or knowledge statements But, how do we determine if they are “true”? What methods are available to justify or support, or to disprove, the truthfulness of expressed beliefs or knowledge statements?

Introducing Epistemology Well, it shouldn’t surprise us that there are many alternative and competing methods for determining the truthfulness of our beliefs or knowledge. That is why we say that there are multiple “Ways of Knowing”. The study of these alternative ways of knowing is called Epistemology.

Alternative “Ways of Knowing” Essentially, are different ways of searching for understanding and truth, And, that use different methods or systems for justifying or supporting their claims to knowledge (i.e., different epistemologies)

Alternative Epistemologies Some are distinct, and have nothing in common with others Some are similar to others, having both common features and differences

Some Epistemologies We Will Explore Rationalism/Reason/Logic Empiricism/Experience/Science Religion/Revelation/Faith Intuition Spiritualism Occultism Skepticism