Epistemology: Analyzing the Nature and Scope of Knowledge

Epistemology: Understanding the Nature of Knowledge

Epistemology is the branch of philosophy concerned with the analysis of what knowledge is. It also determines its origin, the method we follow to obtain it, and what we know. Interest in knowledge has been constant throughout the history of thought. However, this issue became even more important, and epistemology stepped into the center of philosophical reflection. This was due to two reasons:

• The importance of the natural sciences: Physics reached, with Isaac Newton, its maturity as a science. Success and encouraging progress prompted epistemological analysis of this type of knowledge, in order to determine what made possible its effectiveness and infallibility.
• Awareness of its basic dimensions: The philosophy of the time recognized that any research, before starting, needs to determine if we can get to know what is intended. If our goal is beyond our possibilities, it will be a useless task before it has begun. Epistemology is considered the basis of other sciences.

The Concept of Knowledge as Knowing

Before discussing what we mean by knowledge, we have to make clear what we mean by knowing, often used synonymously. To approximate its definition, let us compare it with related concepts such as opinion and belief.

• Opinion: It is a subjective assessment by which we cannot say that we are safe, and we are also trying to convince others. It is usually an evaluation of reality, or how it should be, which is based on our interests, beliefs, and wishes, but is not usually supported by compelling reasons.
• Belief: In the concept of belief, we can distinguish two main types:
  • Hesitant use: Expresses that we are not really sure of the truth of the assertion; that is, we have doubts about its compliance.
  • Assertive use: When we talk about something, we are sure, although we do not have enough evidence to prove it. Precisely, this inability to justify our belief is what distinguishes it from authentic knowledge.
• Knowledge: It is a belief of which we are sure, but also, we can prove. Thus, the belief ceases to be subjective and becomes objectively true. If I say that the square root of 16 is 4, what I say is true, but it is not justified. If that is the case, then it is possibly successful by chance.

Since ancient times, knowledge has fallen into two groups:

• Theoretical knowledge: Consists of all those reports that describe and explain the natural and social world around us. It arises just for the sake of knowledge, not to ensure our survival or well-being, although it often contributes to it.
• Practical knowledge: It is not an explanation or description of the world, but knowing how to act in it, whether in the handling of the environment, in the production of goods, in the preparation of works of art, or in the determination of the proper action.