1. Epistemology
What is knowledge?
and
How do we know things?

2. How do you think about “knowledge”?
We use the word all the time.
We seem to have a shared understanding of what it means.
Yet, it is difficult to actually define it.
How do you think about “knowledge”?

3. “Knowledge” could be considered Confusing

4. We can try to simplify it !
But,
We can try to simplify it !

5. Many Philosophers Say…
Knowledge is “Justified True Beliefs” or JTB

6. And, your beliefs have to conform with what’s actually true.
Knowledge is
Things you believe
that you can justify
that are true
It isn’t trees, fantasies, games, emotions, etc….. rather, knowledge refers to your beliefs.
You have to have some kind of ‘proof’ or ‘evidence’ or compelling ‘reasons’ to support your beliefs.
And, your beliefs have to conform with what’s actually true.

7. 3 Alternative Views of “Truth”
Truth is Objective
Truth is Subjective
Truth is Relative
relative to some system of justification
relative to some social group

8. Knowledge is Things you believe that you can justify that are true
Statements that you believe
that you can justify within some system of justification to the satisfaction of most people who operate within that system.

10. Clearly, these are all expressed beliefs or knowledge statements
But, how do we determine if they are “true”?
What methods are available to justify or support, or to disprove, the truthfulness of expressed beliefs or knowledge statements?

11. Introducing Epistemology
Well, it shouldn’t surprise us that there are many alternative and competing methods for determining the truthfulness of our beliefs or knowledge. That is why we say that there are multiple “Ways of Knowing”.
The study of these alternative ways of knowing is called Epistemology.

12. Alternative “Ways of Knowing”
Essentially, are different ways of searching for understanding and truth,
And, that use different methods or systems for justifying or supporting their claims to knowledge (i.e., different epistemologies)
Alternative systems for justifying or proving
knowledge claims
Alternative ways of knowing or acquiring
knowledge

13. The Truth about Astrology
Justifying beliefs . . .
Michael Shermer
Philosophy of Science
God’s Truth will set you free . . .
The Truth about Astrology

15. Alternative Epistemologies
Some are distinct, and have nothing in common with others
Some are similar to others, having both common features and differences

16. Some Epistemologies We Will Explore
Rationalism/Reason/Logic
Empiricism/Experience/Science
Religion/Revelation/Faith
Spiritualism
Occultism
Intuition
Emotional Knowledge

17. Assignment on 9-11