1. Epistemology A summary

2. Epistemology as the philosophical study of Truth -How can Truth be defined? -As an accurate description of Reality -Therefore Metaphysical questions and responses about the nature of Reality are important and interrelated

3. Reality Truth About Behaviours and attitudes Technology Ethics Justice and Political Systems Education System And Practices Personal Behaviours Laws How do we find the Truth?

4. Absolute/Objective Truth Relative/Subjective truths Time KNOWLEDGEKNOWLEDGE Absolute Truth

5. Ways of Knowing We’ve identified three basic ways of obtaining knowledge about Truth 1.Revelation - God(s)/Aliens tell me. Either direct or through prophecies 2.Intuition - a feeling or 6th sense. Often associated with mysticism 3.Critical Reasoning - the traditional realm of Western Philosophers. Logic/evidence/scientific method are applied to a problem in order to find the most Truthful solution. Inductive and deductive reasoning are used Premises, logical processing are used, and conclusions reached - which can be scrutinised using the same tools. Critical reasoning implies that all conclusions reached are OPEN TO CRITICAL SCRUTINY. Are they justified? Is the evidence appropriate? Does the conclusion account for all the data? Etc etc.

6. We have discussed whether there is a single, objective and Absolute Truth or An infinite number of subjective and relative truths. Will it ever be possible for humankind to achieve knowledge of Truth or are we doomed for eternity to some form of ignorance? What does history tell us?

7. ClassicalRomantic Epistemological Dichotomy Logical Black/white Manuals/instructions Maths Male Fact Left Brain/Right Handed Classical Music Order/discipline Fascists Intuitive Gry Trial and Error Art Female Fiction Right Brain/Left Handed Jazz “Go with the flow” Hippies

8. Discussion Task Form SIX small groups and then discuss your given topic from the next slide. Either agree or disagree with it, and explore and define the terms of the statement by using examples from all the input material you have been given, as well as your own thoughts. You will then present your findings to the class.

9. Statements (choose one) 1.There is no objective Truth 2.Only Critical Reasoning can give us anything approaching objective Truth. 3.Only Intuition can give us anything approaching objective Truth. 4.Only Revelation can give us anything approaching objective Truth. 5.Truth is entirely subjective and relative to the individual and her culture. 6.It is impossible to distinguish Truth from Falsehood.