Epistemology

Epistemology is the study of knowledge. It is a theory and philosophy of knowledge. Epistemology asks questions such as “what is knowledge?” and “how do we know something?” “What is the basis for true knowledge?” Thus, epistemology primarily deals with:

      (i)               the nature, theory, and foundations of knowledge,

(ii)             its various conditions,

(iii)           its limits and possibilities

 The term ‘Epistemology' comes from the Greek, episte-me-, meaning knowledge or science, and logos, meaning reason. Traditionally, knowledge is defined as justified true belief.  In Greek philosophy, episteme refers to knowledge as well as to the idea of ‘approaching something, knowing one’s way round it’.

Western epistemology began with Plato’s dialogue with Socrates. His important contribution to the epistemological idea was that he made a distinction between knowledge and correct opinion or true belief. Contemporary epistemologists consider Descartes as the father of modern epistemology. Critical thinkers like John Locke, George Berkeley, David Hume, and Immanuel Kant also contributed to the development of the philosophy of epistemology.

There are two different versions of the origins of knowledge. One of them believes that knowledge is innate—i.e., present in the mind, in some sense, from birth. The other version holds that knowledge is acquired through experience. This debate led to the development of two branches of philosophical epistemology: (1) Empiricism and (2) Rationalism.

1.  Empiricism

Empiricism believes that all knowledge comes through experience. True knowledge is primarily founded on input from our senses – experiences. John Locke, considered the human mind as a tabula rasa, a “blank slate”, at the time we enter the world. At birth we know nothing; it is only through experience that the mind captures knowledge or information. There are two levels of experience: (a) Sensation – learn through sensory organs and (b) Reflection – learn through the reflection of mind from experience. Classical empiricism was dominated by the ideas of John Locke, George Berkeley, and David Hume. Classical empiricism is characterised by a rejection of innate, inborn knowledge or concepts.

2.  Rationalism

Rationalism believes that not all knowledge comes from experience. Some knowledge is innate or inborn. Plato a radical rationalist believed all knowledge comes from innate. Rationalism emphasises reason – the logical human mind is the source of new knowledge. According to rationalists, the ultimate source of human knowledge is the reason. Rationalist philosopher Descartes famously declared “I think, therefore I am” (Cogito ergo sum). The view is that everything that exists is on the human mind.

Historical Epistemology

Historical epistemology is concerned with the construction of historical knowledge. In history, knowledge is ultimately discovered through the highly complex process of the analysis of facts or evidence. Through this process, the historians distinguish knowledge from unjustified belief. But it cannot offer an error-free representation of the past. The reasons for this are:

      (1)   Historians have no direct contact with the past.

(2)   Historical explanation depends on the interpretation of the evidence that must be selected (subjectivity).

Thus historical knowledge is constructed with the best explanations. Empiricism (evidence of experience) and logic (reason) together helps the historian to achieve this. Frameworks of knowledge are constantly changing; nothing stays the same. Thus historical knowledge will change from time to time according to the dominant knowledge structures.