epistemology
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of epistemology
First recorded in 1855–60; from Greek epistḗm(ē) “knowledge” + -o- + -logy
Explanation
Epistemology is the study of knowledge: what we know, how we know it, how we know we know it, and how to keep track of it without driving ourselves crazy. You might be wondering if epistemology is just a hobby for people who know too much for their own good, but epistemology has a lot of uses. The study of knowledge leads to the study of learning, which leads to better methods of teaching. The study of knowledge helps us understand our cultural differences, which helps us all get along. Probably the coolest use of epistemology, though, is artificial intelligence: teaching computers how to learn.
Vocabulary lists containing epistemology
The Enlightenment
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Consider the Lobster
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Ancient Philosophy
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Epistemology is the field of philosophy concerned with the nature and limits of human knowledge.
From Washington Post • Jun. 17, 2022
Epistemology focuses on what knowledge is as well as what types of knowledge there are.
From Textbooks • Jun. 15, 2022
This is a pretty standard truism, the stuff of opening-day Epistemology 101.
From Slate • Jul. 1, 2021
Then try her poetry, say, Relational Epistemology and virtually tour her recent Age of Love installation at the Baltic in Gateshead.
From The Guardian • Mar. 22, 2020
Epistemology was the study of nothing for nothing could be known absolutely no matter how much the brain yearned for certainty.
From An Apostate: Nawin of Thais by Sills, Steven (Steven David Justin)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
