Topic outline of epistemology

:"For a more comprehensive list, see the List of epistemology topics."

Epistemology or theory of knowledge is a branch of philosophy concerned with the nature and scope of knowledge. [Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Volume 3, 1967, Macmillan, Inc.] The term was introduced into English by the Scottish philosopher James Frederick Ferrier (1808-1864). [Encyclopaedia Britannica Online, 2007] Epistemology the questions: "What is knowledge?", "How is knowledge acquired?", and "What do people know?"

The following outline is provided as an overview of and introduction to epistemology:

Essence of epistemology

: "Main article: Epistemology"

* Descriptive knowledge ("knowledge that")
* Scientific method
* Truth

Justification

* Theories of justification
** Foundationalism - Self-evident basic beliefs justify other non-basic beliefs.
** Coherentism - Beliefs are justified if they cohere with other beliefs a person holds, each belief is justified if it coheres with the overall system of beliefs.
** Internalism - The believer must be able to justify a belief through internal knowledge.
** Externalism - Outside sources of knowledge can be used to justify a belief.
** Skepticism - A variety of viewpoints questioning the possibility of knowledge.
** Minority viewpoints include:
*** Foundherentism - A combination of foundationalism and coherentism proposed by Susan Haack.
*** Infinitism - Beliefs are justified by infinite chains of reasons, as proposed by Peter D. Klein.
* Common justifiers
** Scientific method
** Occam's Razor
** Empiricism
** Induction
** Pragmatism
** Probability theory
** Abductive Reasoning or Inference to the Best Explanation

History of epistemology

: "Main article: History of epistemology"

* History of scientific method
* Timeline of the history of scientific method

Basic epistemology concepts

* Belief
* Criteria of truth

Epistemology scholars

Leaders in epistemology

Epistemology lists

: "Main article: List of epistemology topics"

References

See also

External links

* [http://pantheon.yale.edu/~kd47/What-Is-Epistemology.htm What Is Epistemology?] — a brief introduction to the topic by Keith DeRose.
* [http://fleetwood.baylor.edu/certain_doubts/ Certain Doubts] — a group blog run by Jonathan Kvanvig, with many leading epistemologists as contributors.
* [http://www.db.dk/jni/lifeboat/ The Epistemological Lifeboat] by Birger Hjørland & Jeppe Nicolaisen (eds.)
* [http://pantheon.yale.edu/~kd47/e-page.htm The Epistemology Page] by Keith DeRose.
* [http://journal.ilovephilosophy.com/Article/Justified-True-Belief-and-Critical-Rationalism/220 Justified True Belief and Critical Rationalism] by Mathew Toll
* [http://home.sprynet.com/~owl1/epistemo.htm Epistemology Papers] a collection of Michael Huemer's.
* [http://www.galilean-library.org/int5.html Epistemology Introduction, Part 1] and [http://www.galilean-library.org/int20.html Part 2] by Paul Newall at the Galilean Library.
* [http://www.ditext.com/clay/know.html "Teaching Theory of Knowledge" (1986)] — Marjorie Clay (ed.), an electronic publication from The Council for Philosophical Studies.
* [http://www.groovyweb.uklinux.net/?page_name=philosophy%20of%20knowledge&category=philosophy Epistemology: The Philosophy of Knowledge] — an introduction at Groovyweb.
* [http://www.philosophyonline.co.uk/tok/tokhome.htm Introduction to Theory of Knowledge] — from PhilosophyOnline.
* [http://ThePeripatetic.com The Peripatetic] A practical introduction to the theory of knowledge
* [http://www.theoryofknowledge.info/ Theory of Knowledge] — an introduction to epistemology, exploring the various theories of knowledge, justification, and belief.
* [http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=904833 A Theory of Knowledge] by Clóvis Juarez Kemmerich, on the Social Science Research Network, 2006.
* [http://www.galilean-library.org/int5.html An Introduction to Epistemology] by Paul Newall, aimed at beginners.
* [http://davidspeakslive.com David Speaks Live — A lecture on Ontological Epistemology]
* [http://www.reflectionsindia.org/knowledge.php Knowledge is the eye of all - Knowledge in the Upanishads]
* [http://www.sofiatopia.org/equiaeon/clearings.htm On a Critical Epistemology]
* [http://www.percepp.com/meaning.htm Language Perception and Action: Philosophical Issues]

; Justification
* [http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/justep-foundational/ Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy entry on Foundationalist Theories of Epistemic Justification]
* [http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/epistemology/#WIJ Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy entry on Epistemology, 2. What is Justification?]
* [http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/justification-public/ Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy entry on Public Justification]
* [http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/justep-intext/ Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy entry on Internalist vs. Externalist Conceptions of Epistemic Justification]
* [http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/justep-coherence/ Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy entry on Coherentist Theories of Epistemic Justification]