Epistemology
/ˌɛpɪstəˈmɒlədʒi/noun
The branch of philosophy concerned with the nature, origin, and limits of knowledge.
Did you know?Epistemology comes from the same ancient Greek root as episteme, and that root is tied to knowing in a way that later philosophers used to ask what counts as real knowledge versus mere belief.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
epistēmē
“knowledge, understanding, or scientific knowledge”
Ancient Greek
Greek
epistēmonia
“knowledge or skill; learning”
19th Century
English
epistemology
“the study of knowledge”
Modern English
English
epistemology
“the branch of philosophy dealing with knowledge and justification”
Explore more surprising origins