epistemology
2 synonyms for epistemology, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The branch of philosophy that studies knowledge, asking what it is, how it is gained and how we can be sure it is true.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
epistemics
metaknowledge
How to use epistemology
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a theory of epistemology
study epistemology
an epistemology course
questions of epistemology
It is an academic, philosophical term rarely used outside study or discussion of philosophy.
Etymology
The word is built from the Ancient Greek epistēmē, meaning science or knowledge, itself from epistamai, to know, joined to -logia, meaning the study of. The English term was coined by the Scottish philosopher James Frederick Ferrier, who lived from 1808 to 1864.
Full origin of epistemology →Frequently asked questions
What does epistemology mean?
It is the branch of philosophy concerned with knowledge: what it is, how we get it, and how we know it is true.
Who coined the word epistemology?
The Scottish philosopher James Frederick Ferrier introduced the term into English.
What is the difference between epistemology and ethics?
Epistemology studies knowledge and how we know things, while ethics studies right and wrong conduct; they are separate branches of philosophy.
