epistemology

[ ih-pis-tuh-mol-uh-jee ]
/ ɪˌpɪs təˈmɒl ə dʒi /

noun

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

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Origin of epistemology

1855–60; <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/, adjectivee·pis·te·mol·o·gist, noun

Words nearby epistemology

epistasis, epistaxis, epistemic, epistemics, epistemological, epistemology, episternal, episternum, epistle, epistler, epistle side
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for epistemology

British Dictionary definitions for epistemology

epistemology
/ (ɪˌpɪstɪˈmɒlədʒɪ) /

noun

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

Derived forms of epistemology

epistemologist, noun

Word Origin for epistemology

C19: from Greek epistēmē knowledge
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.