epistemic
Definition
- Adjective:
- Relating to knowledge or the theory of knowledge (epistemology): The word "epistemic" describes anything that concerns the nature, scope, and validity of knowledge. It is a central term in philosophy.
- Expressing or marking a degree of knowledge or certainty: In linguistics, particularly when discussing modal verbs, "epistemic" refers to the speaker's judgment about the truth or likelihood of a proposition.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- The philosopher raised an important epistemic question about how we can be certain of our sensory experiences.
- In the sentence "She must be at home," the word "must" is used with an epistemic meaning, indicating the speaker's deduction, not an obligation.
Advanced Usage
- "Epistemic modality": A linguistic concept referring to the use of modal verbs (like , , , ) to express the speaker's degree of certainty or confidence in a statement.
- The difference between "He might be late" and "He is late" is one of epistemic modality.
- "Epistemic virtue": A characteristic, such as intellectual honesty or open-mindedness, that aids in the acquisition of true beliefs and knowledge.
- Intellectual humility is considered a key epistemic virtue.
- "Epistemic closure": A principle in epistemology stating that if a person knows one thing, and knows that this thing logically implies another, then they also know the second thing.
- The debate over epistemic closure is highly technical.
Variants and Related Words
- Epistemology (n): The branch of philosophy that studies the nature, origin, and limits of knowledge.
- She is writing her thesis in epistemology.
- Epistemically (adv): In a way that relates to knowledge or epistemology.
- The two theories are epistemically equivalent.
Synonyms
- Cognitive: Related to the process of knowing, thinking, and understanding.
- Doxastic: Related to belief (a more specific philosophical term often contrasted with "epistemic," which relates to knowledge).
Related Phrases
- "Epistemic justification": The reason or evidence that makes a belief count as knowledge, not just a lucky guess.
- For a belief to be knowledge, it requires epistemic justification.
- "Epistemic community": A network of professionals or experts with recognized knowledge and skill in a particular domain.
- Climate scientists form a global epistemic community.
Adjective
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of or relating to epistemology
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epistemic modal
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