Epistemology & Phenomenology

Epistemology :The “ theory of knowledge ”

Submitted byTwinkle E JohnRoll no. 39S8 Barch, CET

What is Epistemology?• Epistemology is the branch of philosophy that studies

knowledge. • The branch of philosophy concerned with the nature and

scope (limitations) of knowledge• It attempts to answer the basic question: what

distinguishes true (adequate) knowledge from false (inadequate) knowledge?

• How knowledge is relates to truth, belief, and justification. • The means of production of knowledge• Skepticism about different knowledge claims

Epistemological Questions

What is Knowledge?

Knowledge

Valid Knowledge

Imagination 60%Wishful thinking 20%Belief 15%Essence 05%

Desire to Know

Proposition

What is Knowledge?

The Gettier problem

Responses to Gettier

Other Responses

Externalism and Internalism

How Knowledge is Acquired

Types of Proposition

Types of Knowledge acquisition

theories of knowledge acquisition

The Regress Problem

What do people know?05/01/23

Applied Epistemology05/01/23

Epistemology an Introduction

Phenomenology:The “science of being”

Submitted byTwinkle E JohnRoll no. 39S8 Barch, CET

What is phenomenology?• Phenomenology examines patterns of subjective

experience and consciousness

• Focus upon a systematic reflection on and investigation of the structures of consciousness: Realist concepts can be examined scientifically

• Based solely on consciousness

• Individuals will be influenced by others, but not same experience

• Views social world as multiform structure• Inner-subjectivity• Group understanding/unity

Edmund Husserl (1859-1938)• “Father of phenomenology”

• Married, with three children

• Developed theories later in life (post retirement/late at university)

• Studied mathematics, led to empirical works (Phenomenology)

• Influences ranged from Descartes, Hume, Kant

Husserl’s Ideas/Contributions• Every certainty is questionable

• Believed scientific method & naturalistic thinking was overvalued and, “not important to understanding behavior based on consciousness.” In short, can conduct a science of perceptions

• Consciousness is where you will find ‘true’ meaning behind actions

• Time Consciousness: past events influence one’s present consciousness/perception• In turn, allows unbiased & biased ‘time’ to be cohesive to draw

perceptions

• Perception was based on retention and memory• What one “sees” is based on past memories and reflection

• Ex. Spouse with ex, who cheated may suspect current spouse of same actions

Alfred Schutz (1899-1959)• Responsible for phenomenology's development into a

social science

• Key inspirations were Weber & Husserl

• Studied law & social science at the University of Vienna

• Husserl offered assistant role to Schutz• Declined for ‘personal reasons’• Corresponded throughout their lives

Schutz’s Ideas/Contributions• Must accept own existence & other’s existence• Must reflect/observe other experience and relate/find understand

from own experience• Can observe own experiences only in past, can observe ‘yours’ as

they take place

• Leads to individuals coexisting, or having each consciousness intertwining

• We will see our actions as single act, not natural view of two separate persons• “Growing old together”• Each act is influences by others, but not the same experience

• Ex. Concert level enjoyment

• Therefore, experience shared but consciousness is unique

Schutz’s Contributions Cont. • This shared experience leads us to our social world

• Allows understanding of ‘united individualism’• Can perceive same world & understand others with similar

experiences/subjective meanings• Leading to social relationship or, “mutually related act of consciousness”

• Social scientist should act as observer to detach self and biases

• Stock of Knowledge: As observer, researcher must draw from own experience to, “fill in blanks.” Individuals must also do this while interacting. World is constructed by social group/life experiences and allow them to create proper behaviors/actions

Peter Berger (1929-)• Born in Vienna, Austria

• Studied under Alfred Schutz

• Coauthored publications with wife, Brigitte Berger

• Key focus was on religions importance on society & how social forces has led to religion creations

Berger’s Contributions• Social reality or perception is influenced by culture and

experience • Ex. An American businessman will see reality different than a

monk

• “Knowledge” is developed and maintained through social situations

• Everyday life or reality is subjective and is originated through own thoughts and actions (past & modifications)• Ex. Immigrants opposing language change; dramatic change in

everyday life/social reality

• Social relationships allow subjective meanings to transfer into objective/shared meanings

Berger’s Contributions Cont.• Reification & Consciousness: Humans ‘forget’ power over

social world. Leads to: • Reification: Turning an abstract object into material object, or

turning ’ownership’ to an unknown• In turn, leads to alienation & false consciousness, or perception

• Reality is constantly recreated by external experiences• Ex. Norms and values

• Politics is what delivers social control and society’s ‘restrictions’

Relevancy • Allows us to understand or “see” how social structure

develops

• Breaks down individuals, ‘actors’ and view why these actions are formed

• Explains how perceptions are gained, molded, then used in everyday life

• Explains the limitations of a positivist approach to science

• Provides a methodological solution to a scientific investigation of realist concepts.

Limitations• Phenomenology is a method, not a theoretical approach.

• Subject to interpretation• Ex. As observer, must occasionally fill in blanks, which could

lead to inaccuracies