Epistemology

epistemology

the study of the nature and grounds of knowledge, especially with reference to its limits and validity -- (shortened version: the study of ways of knowing & their limits)

faith

trust; a calculated risk (based on reason but extending beyond the limits of reason -- i.e., "supra-rational")

supra-rational

beyond the limits of reason, but not opposed to reason

rationalism

(1) the belief that everything we truly know by faith can also be understood, discovered, or proven by reason, but not everything knowable by reason can be known by faith. (2) a theory of truth that says that truth is only what can be clearly and distinctly understood or proven by reason

fideism

the belief that the only certain knowledge we can have is by faith; everything that is knowable by reason is knowable by faith, but not everything knowable by faith can be known by reason

dualism

a belief that separates faith & reason, reducing reason to scientific, mathematical, & empirical reasoning, and reducing faith to one's own personal, subjective attitude; nothing knowable by faith can be known by reason, and nothing knowable by reason can be known by faith

objective Truth (AKA Correspondence Theory)

"to say of what is that it is and of what is not that it is not" (Aristotle)… In other words, to acknowledge that something truly exists (and is not merely perceived by one or more people)

Pragmatism

Theory of truth: Truth is whatever "works"

Empiricism

Theory of truth: Truth is what can be sensed

Emotivism

Theory of truth: Truth is what I feel

(universal) skepticism

the idea that NO truth is knowable (doubts the possibility of ANY real knowledge)

(universal) subjectivism

holds that ALL truth is dependent upon the knower

religious skepticism

claims that we may be able to know truth in nonreligious fields, especially the sciences, but that we cannot know truth about God

religious subjectivism

sees one's religion and beliefs about God as true "for you" but not necessarily "for me" -- i.e., we each make up our own religions (even if our religions share a common name); they are not grounded in objective reality

unity of the universe

the universe operates, everywhere, by unchanging laws (e.g., studying the movements of celestial bodies under the assumption that the law of gravity applies throughout the universe)

accessible nature of the universe

the universe can be (at least partly) understood (e.g., when we send equipment, and perhaps scientists, to explore and observe other parts of the galaxy, we assume that when we get there, that part of the galaxy will be able to be observed)

rational nature of the universe

the universe has patterns and is therefore predictable; also, causes generate effects, so we can study these cause-effect relationships

objective nature of the universe

the universe is a reality that doesn't yield to our preferences (e.g., to have a discussion about a celestial phenomenon, we must be able to talk about the same reality and compare/contrast our observations about that reality)

contingent nature of the universe

the universe could have been different, and there are causal factors (if not purposeful reasons) why things are as they are and not otherwise (and now that the universe is established, we do not expect irrational change, but only changes that can be explained by the existing laws of nature)

scientism

a philosophical belief that the only sure method of obtaining knowledge is through the use of the sciences & the scientific method (that which can be observed and measured)

philosophy

reasoning from an observed effect back to its cause