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Epistemology

Epistemology, or the theory of knowledge, explores the nature, origin, and limits of knowledge, distinguishing between genuine knowledge and mere opinion. It raises critical questions about the validity of knowledge in social sciences, including the nature of social reality, appropriate methodologies, generalizability of findings, and causality among social events. Different types of knowledge are identified, including propositional, non-propositional, and empirical knowledge, each playing a role in academic research and understanding.

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Aýoub Slevin
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13 views1 page

Epistemology

Epistemology, or the theory of knowledge, explores the nature, origin, and limits of knowledge, distinguishing between genuine knowledge and mere opinion. It raises critical questions about the validity of knowledge in social sciences, including the nature of social reality, appropriate methodologies, generalizability of findings, and causality among social events. Different types of knowledge are identified, including propositional, non-propositional, and empirical knowledge, each playing a role in academic research and understanding.

Uploaded by

Aýoub Slevin
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Epistemology

Epistemology; also known as the theory of knowledge, is necessary in order to make real difference
between genuine knowledge and mere opinion. Philosophically, epistemology focuses on the nature,
origin, and scope of knowledge. It thus examines the defining ingredients, the sources, and the limits of
knowledge.
The term epistemology is used with two separate meanings according to different cultural traditions. In
English-speaking countries, epistemology denotes the philosophical theory of knowledge in general. In
this sense, it includes themes and problems such as the question of the possibility of valid knowledge, the
analysis of the nature of such validity, the foundation of knowledge on reason or on experience and the
senses, the analysis of different types of knowledge, and the limits of knowledge. Therefore, the aim of
epistemological inquiry is restricted to the critical study of sciences and scientific knowledge.
In this second sense, with particular respect to social sciences (and sociology, in particular) the
fundamental epistemological question becomes: "Is it possible to acquire any valid knowledge of human
social reality? And, if so, by what means?" As these questions show, epistemological issues are
inescapably interconnected with methodological problems; however, they cannot be reduced to simple
technical procedures and their validity, as a long empiricist tradition among sociologists has tried to do.
A full epistemological awareness, from a sociological point of view, should cope with at least four main
issues:
1. Is the nature of the object of social sciences (i.e., social reality) fundamentally different from that of the
object of natural sciences (i.e., natural reality)?
2. Consequently, what is the most appropriate gnoseological procedure with which to study and
understand social reality?
3. Are we sure that the particular knowledge we get by studying a particular social reality can be
generalized?
4. What kind of causality can we postulate between social events, if any?
Epistemologists have distinguished some species of knowledge, including:
1. Propositional knowledge (that something is so)
2. Non-propositional knowledge of something (for instance, knowledge by acquaintance (slight
knowledge), or by direct awareness
3. Non-empirical (a priori) propositional knowledge (Pure reason)
4. Empirical (a posteriori) propositional knowledge (Experience)
In academic researches, we focus on the last three points. The aim of a priori knowledge is to enable the
researcher to debate a topic, an idea, or a concept from a purely intellectual processing without supporting
ground. It is a difficult task, but there is always a beginning for everything. On the other hand, the aim of
a posteriori knowledge is to explain what sensory or perceptual experience is and how it contributes to
empirical knowledge. The ideas are debated on the basis of supporting ground in the form of opinions,
articles, books, speeches, or simply facts and events. Finally, knowledge of how to do something refers to
the research methodology that a researcher learns and follows to solve a problematic, unveil truths, and
discover the unknown.

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