Episteme

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Contents 1 Definition 2 Origins 3 Contextual Understanding 3.1 References 3.2 Contributors

Definition

Episteme, is etymologically derived from the Greek word ἐπιστήμη for knowledge (science).

Origins

The term epistèmè originates within the philosophical branch of epistemology. In Ancient Greece, Plato formed the basis for this philosophical branch, which was described through Socrates as one of the characters in Plato's dialogues in the Theory of Forms. Plato's Theory of Forms separates true knowledge (epistèmè) - in its purest form - from opinions (doxa). According to Aristotle epistèmè was scientific knowledge, and not to be mistaken with knowledge for practical means or recreation. Aristotle named practical knowledge technè or phronèsis.

Contextual Understanding

Michel Foucault, for instance, came to view episteme as the system of concepts that defines knowledge for a given intellectual era (Gutting, 2005). In this sense, it is understood within the specific context of a given period rather than generalised.

References

• Gutting, Gary. (ed.) (2005). The Cambridge Companion to Foucault. 2nd Edition. Cambridge University Press. USA.

Contributors

• Published by Sander Linssen (4115597)
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