Epistemology: Problem of Knowledge

Epistemology is that branch of philosophy what deals with the problems of knowledge. It is the study what discusses several problems regarding knowledge like sources of knowledge, nature of knowledge, validity of knowledge, limitation of knowledge and so on.

What is knowledge

The first philosophical definition of knowledge might be given by a great ancient philosopher Plato. He defined knowledge as justified true belief. So, knowledge is a belief which is actually true with fact and the believer is justified.

Theories of Sources of knowledge

Rationalism:

Rationalism takes reason as source of knowledge. For rationalism, reason is the main source of knowledge. The supporters of rationalism are called rationalist. Rene Descartes, Baruch Spinoza and Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz are some rationalist philosophers.

Empiricism:

Empiricism takes perception or experience as source of knowledge. For empiricism, perception or experience is the main on only source of knowledge. The supporters of empiricism are called empiricist. John Locke, George Berkeley and David Hume are some empiricist philosophers.

Critical Theory:

Critical theory critics taking only reason or only experience as source of knowledge. It opines that only reason or only perception is unable to attain knowledge. Both reason and experience are needed to gain knowledge. Immanuel Kant is the founder and main supporter of critical theory.

There are many other theories regarding sources of knowledge like intuitionism, authoritarianism, self-evidence theory and so on.

Theories of Nature of Knowledge

Idealism and Realism:

Nature of knowledge is about dependency of knowledge on mind. There are mainly two theories regarding this issue; idealism and realism. According to idealism, knowledge of object is depended on mind. On the other hand, for realism, knowledge of object isn’t depended on mind. Epistemic idealism is different from metaphysical idealism.

Theories of Limitation of Knowledge

Skepticism and Agnosticism:

Skepticism and agnosticism are two theories showing the limitation of attaining certain knowledge. For skepticism, there is no certain knowledge or knowledge is suspended. For agnosticism, there may something certain knowledge but we don’t know it or certain knowledge is unknowable.

Theories of Validity of Knowledge

Correspondence, Coherence and Pragmatic:

Correspondence, coherence and pragmatic are three approaches testing the validity or truth of statement. For correspondence, a statement is truth if it corresponds with fact, for coherence, a statement is true if it coherence with whole, for pragmatic, a statement is true if it works.