EPISTEMOLOGY

Epistemology is the study of the valid forms of knowledge. It comes from the Greek "episteme" which means knowledge. It is sometimes called "theory of knowledge". It must be noted that epistemology as a distinct branch of philosophy is of recent origin. Usually Descartes is considered the first philosopher to seriously work in epistemology. The validity of knowledge was more or less taken for granted by previous philosophers. It was only when Descartes began to systematically doubt the veracity of knowledge that problems of knowledge became apparent.

The problems considered in epistemology are:

• Is genuine knowledge attainable at all? Is the skeptic right?
• What are the limits of knowledge?
• From what faculties of the mind does knowledge originate?
• Which method should be used to obtain valid knowledge?
• How do you justify a priori statements?
• Where is the boundary between the subjective and objective factors?
• What is the nature of truth?

SKEPTICISM

 RATIONALISM

 EMPIRICISM

 KANT