Epistemology: Knowledge, Truth, and Language
Epistemology
Epistemology is the branch of philosophy that analyzes what constitutes knowledge, its origin, the methods to obtain it, and the limits of what we can know.
Propositions
Propositions are statements that affirm or deny something about reality according to reason. They consist of premises and conclusions.
Formal Propositions
These have a correspondence between language and reality, demonstrating the truth of the proposition.
Empirical Propositions
These affirm or deny something about the world that can be corroborated through experience.
Conclusions
Conclusions are derived from premises through inference.
Truth
Truth is rational and demonstrable, supported by evidence, ignoring feelings or appearances.
Coherence
Coherence refers to consistency with premises, relating to utility and pragmatism.
Opinion
An opinion is a subjective assessment that cannot be definitively proven.
Belief
Belief involves a group of individuals idealizing a proposition as a potential truth.
Assertive Use of Belief
Assertive belief occurs when we are sure of something without sufficient evidence.
Knowledge
Knowledge is a belief that can be tested and rationalized.
Theoretical Knowledge
Theoretical knowledge explains the natural and social world around us.
Practical Knowledge
Practical knowledge is applied in creating art or determining corrective actions.
Language
Language allows us to acquire, store, and transmit knowledge, crucial for understanding reality.
Proposition
A proposition is a declarative sentence that asserts or denies something.
Features of Language
Language is the human ability to communicate through an arbitrary and creative system.
Differences in Language
Language must be true and seek universality.
Reality vs. Appearance
Appearance is based on senses, which can be misleading. Truth is based on reason.
Nativist Theory (Chomsky)
This theory posits that humans are born with a generative grammar.
Behaviorist Theory (Skinner)
This theory suggests language is acquired through reinforcement.
Truth as Correspondence
A proposition is true when it matches reality (Aristotle).
Coherence Theory
A proposition is true if it is consistent with accepted propositions (Hegel).
Success Theory
A proposition is true if it leads to success.
Pragmatism
Pragmatism considers truth based on utility.
Evidence
Knowledge is evident when it produces certainty (Descartes). Intersubjectivity involves collective affirmation.
Dogmatism
Dogmatism asserts that absolute knowledge can be acquired through a method.
Skepticism
Skepticism opposes dogmatism, arguing that absolute knowledge is unattainable. It can be radical or moderate.
Criticism
Criticism is a middle ground between dogmatism and skepticism, using reason to reach truth.
Relativism
Relativism denies absolute truth, stating that truth depends on historical, economic, and social contexts.
Perspectivism
Perspectivism suggests that truth is the sum of unique perspectives on an object.