epistemology

[ ih-pis-tuh-mol-uh-jee ]

noun
  1. a branch of philosophy that investigates the origin, nature, methods, and limits of human knowledge.

Origin of epistemology

1
First recorded in 1855–60; from Greek epistḗm(ē) “knowledge” + -o- + -logy

Other words from epistemology

  • e·pis·te·mo·log·i·cal [ih-pis-tuh-muh-loj-i-kuhl], /ɪˌpɪs tə məˈlɒdʒ ɪ kəl/, adjective
  • e·pis·te·mol·o·gist, noun

Words Nearby epistemology

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How to use epistemology in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for epistemology

epistemology

/ (ɪˌpɪstɪˈmɒlədʒɪ) /


noun
  1. the theory of knowledge, esp the critical study of its validity, methods, and scope

Origin of epistemology

1
C19: from Greek epistēmē knowledge

Derived forms of epistemology

  • epistemologist, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for epistemology

epistemology

[ (i-pis-tuh-mol-uh-jee) ]


The branch of philosophy concerned with the nature and origin of knowledge. Epistemology asks the question “How do we know what we know?”

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.