BellaOnline Forums Religion and Spirituality Philosophy Epistemology – The Theory Of Knowledge

Hello!

I just posted a new article on the theory of knowledge and how reliable what we know really is. Hope you enjoy it!

Epistemology – The Theory Of Knowledge

Would love to hear your thoughts.

Tracy

Hello Tracy,

My favorite epistemology subject is certainty. I highly recommend "On Certainty" by Ludwig Wittgenstein. It's Wittgenstein's response to another popular work, "Common Sense." He contends that common sense does not exist, and that our assertion 'I know' carries little meaning outside of persuasion.

Thank you for the article!
~Leif

Hello Leif,

Thanks for your post and book recommendation. I find the whole subject is fascinating. Keeps the mind open!

It amazes me how we hold to our beliefs with such certainty - while not even knowing why. Some kind of acceptance of theory or of self perhaps gets wrapped up in our beliefs and we need to have them justified by others - no matter what.

It seems to me that meeting the survival needs of Certainty, Connection, Significance and Variety seems to cause all sorts of behaviors in us.

'I know' - interesting what you said about it being more persuasive than anything else.

Thank you for sharing!

Tracy

Hello Tracy,

The 'I know' assertion is definitely his. I'm still torn on it: does it carry more weight because of connotations we attach to it or are we not speaking literally enough? In other words, is 'I know' supposed to be heard as 'I am certain' or can we skip that step? Either way, going around stating what we hold to be facts as belief seems to lessen one's view where others are concerned.

It's a concept I grapple with

Hi Tracy, I enjoyed your article. It was also amusing to learn why generations of that family would cut the end off the joint of meat before putting it in the oven! Best, Joy.

Hello Joy,

Thank you for your message. Glad you liked the article. It is funny how we carry on behaviors without knowing why

Tracy