Lesson 5: Knowledge & Truth

EPISTEMOLOGY

“Epistemology is a science devoted to the discovery of the proper method of acquiring and validating knowledge” (Rand 1990)

The purpose of epistemology therefore is two-fold:

1. To show how we can acquire knowledge.

2. To give us a method of demonstrating whether the knowledge we acquired is really knowledge (i.e., true).

Knowledge

• the clear awareness and understanding of something.

  • it is provided by facts

  • it is based on reality

  • it is observable and evident in the real world

Empiricism

We can acquire knowledge using our senses

John Locke

Empiricists

George Berkley

Empiricists

David Hume

Empiricists

Rationalism

We can acquire knowledge by thinking with the use of our minds

Rene Descartes

Rationalists

Baruch Spinoza

Rationalists

Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz

Rationalists

Process of Acquiring Knowledge

1. Reality

2. Perception

3. Concept

4. Proposition

5. Argument

Reality

• To know is to know something. This “something” is what philosophers call reality, existence, and being.

Perception

• Our first and only contact with reality is through our senses.

Concept

an abstract or generic idea generalized from particular instances

Proposition

Statements about the world or reality

Proposition

may or may not carry the truth

Facts

propositions or statements observed to be real and truthful

Claim

proposition that requires further examination; can be contested

Argument

Series of statements that provide reasons to convince the reader/ listener that a claim/ opinion is truthful. Group of statements that serve to support a conclusion.

DOMAINS OF TRUTH

• Objective domain

• Social Domain

• Personal Domain

Objective domain (definition)

related to scientific truths; pertains to the natural world that maintains relative independence from the perspective and attitude of human beings that perceive them.

Social Domain (definition)

Truth is related to a general agreement or consensus on what is right as opposed to what is wrong. Based on norms

Personal Domain (definition)

Truth is related to “SINCERITY”; consistent with inner thoughts and intentions needed to establish “trust”

TRUTH (according to Richard Rorty)

has passed the “procedures of justification”

JUSTIFICATION

the process of proving the truth or validity of a statement. This process is made up of ways of critically testing a claim against certain criteria.

SCIENTIFIC/ OBJECTIVE DOMAIN (corresponding justification)

• Truths are tested against empirical evidence

  • Reptiles are cold-blooded.

SOCIAL DOMAIN (corresponding justification)

• Truths are tested against their acceptability to a particular group in a particular time in history

  • “Don’t talk when your mouth is full!”

PERSONAL DOMAIN (corresponding justification)

• Truths are tested against the consistency and authenticity of the person who claims it

  • “In sickness and in health, “till death do us part.”

How do we know if something is true?

1. A belief is true if it can be justified or proven through the use of one’s senses.

2. A belief or statement is true if it is based on facts

3. Getting a consensus or having a people agree on a common belief

4. Truth requires to prove an action

5. Subject to test to determine the truth

TRUTH

knowledge validated based on the facts of reality are independent of your thoughts, feelings or preferences

Characteristics of Truth

1. Can be confirmed with other sources

2. Independent of one’s interpretation, preferences, and biases

3. Based on the facts of reality

OPINION

A statement of judgment of a person about something in the world. Bases for making arguments and convincing people that a certain claim is a fact.

Characteristics of Opinion

1. Cannot be confirmed

2. Open to interpretation

3. Based on emotions

4. Inherently biased

CONCLUSION

Judgment based on certain facts; could still be contested or questioned.

BELIEFS

Statements that express convictions that are not easily and clearly explained by facts.

EXPLANATIONS

Statements that assume the claim to be true and provide reasons why the statement is true.

OPINIONS

Statements of judgment that are in need of further justification.