Epistemology and the main approaches to the knowability of the

Epistemology is the study of the process of accumulation of new knowledge about how humanity understands the world and the causal relationships acting therein. No one doubts that from generation to generation we pass on to our descendants an increasing amount of knowledge. Old truths are supplemented with new discoveries in different fields: science, art, in the sphere of everyday life. Thus, knowledge – it is a mechanism of social communication and continuity.

But, on the other hand, many of the concepts expressed by reputable scientists and seemingly immutable, after some time showed the inconsistency. Recall, the geocentric system of the Universe, which was refuted by Copernicus. In this regard, the question arises: can we be completely confident that our knowledge of the Genesis are true? This question and tries to answer the theory of knowledge. Philosophy (or rather, its section studies this question, epistemology) considers the processes occurring in the realization of the macrocosm and microcosm.

This science develops in the same way as other industries, is with them in contact, takes something from them and, in turn, pays. Epistemology poses a rather heavy, almost insurmountable task: to understand the human brain, how it works. This activity is somewhat similar to the story of the Baron Mnchhausen, and it can be compared to the famous attempt by “raising himself by the hair”. Therefore, on the question of whether we know anything about the world immutable, as always, there are three answers: optimistic, pessimistic and rational.

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Theory of knowledge inevitably faced with the problem about the theoretical possibility of knowing absolute truth, and therefore needs to think about the criteria identifying this category. If it exists at all, or all our knowledge of it is utterly relative, changeable, incomplete? Optimists believe that our knowledge, we do not fail. Hegel, the most prominent representative of this trend in epistemology, argued that Genesis will inevitably unfold in front of us to show us his riches and give them to enjoy. And the progress of science it explicit testimony.

This view is opposed by agnostics. They deny the possibility of knowability of being, arguing that we perceive the world through sensations. Thus, cognitive conclusions about anything – this is just speculation. But what is the true state of Affairs - theory of knowledge does not know, because all of us are hostages of our senses, and the objects and phenomena appear to us only in the form in which their images are refracted in the prism of our perception of reality. Most fully expressed the concept of agnosticism to epistemological relativism-the doctrine of the absolute variability of the events, phenomena, facts.

The Theory of knowledge skepticism goes back to ancient wisdom. Aristotle suggested that those who wish clearly to understand should much doubt. This course does not deny the possibility of understanding the world in principle, agnosticism, however, urges not to be so gullible to the knowledge, dogmas and seemingly immutable facts. Methods "verification” or “rigged” you can separate the wheat from the chaff and, in the end, to know the truth.