epistemology

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

noun

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

epistemology

/ ɪˌpɪstɪˈmɒlədʒɪ /

noun

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

epistemology

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

Derived Forms

• eˌpisteˈmologist, noun

Other Words From

• e·pis·te·mo·log·i·cal [ih-pis-t, uh, -m, uh, -, loj, -i-k, uh, l], adjective
• e·piste·molo·gist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of epistemology¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of epistemology¹

C19: from Greek epistēmē knowledge

Example Sentences

Instead, she began working in epistemology and neuroscience at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology while taking law classes in the evening.

From BBC

Intelligence is always about what philosophers call epistemology — the study of how we know what we know.

From Washington Post

Like “The Guest Lecture,” it uses a spectral theme to explore epistemology.

From Washington Post

The plot involves an absurd vengeance scheme and a cast of zany characters while managing to explore epistemology, friendship, obscene wealth, ethics and the assassination of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

From Washington Post

The first one being that a pluralist epistemology is desirable.

From Salon