Notes on Religion and Epistemology (Verification and Belief)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts related to religion, belief, and how we justify or verify knowledge.

Religion

A system of beliefs, practices, and moral codes about ultimate concerns or a divine power; many religious claims cannot be verified by empirical evidence.

Verification

The process of proving a claim true or false through evidence, testing, or observation; some domains (like religion) resist empirical verification.

Belief

Acceptance that a proposition is true, which may or may not be supported by evidence.

Faith

Trust or confidence in a proposition or being, often maintained despite lack of conclusive empirical proof.

Epistemology

The branch of philosophy that studies knowledge, belief, justification, and the sources and limits of our knowledge.

Fideism

The view that religious beliefs should be accepted on faith rather than requiring evidence or rational justification.

Evidentialism

The view that beliefs should be justified by evidence; in religion, it raises questions about how to justify beliefs without empirical support.