Overview of Epistemlogy part 2

Part 2 of a very brief introduction to Epistemology (the theory of knowledge) in academic Philosophy. In this video we expand on the three basic questions of Epistemology: What is knowledge?, Can we have knowledge?, and How can we get knowledge? We explore the difference between opinion and knowledge, the debate between Internalism and Externalism, as well as introduce Epistemic Relativism and suggest why it should be rejected.

[@jacquelinewolf-xw8cs]

I agree with the comment directly below. You are the best philosophy teacher I have ever encountered.

[@harvisingh6671]

Thanks for blowing away everything I took as true . I’m now epistemically relativist.

[@xchannel4328]

you are the best teacher i have seen , among hundreds of them , thank you sir even its so short but better than a many hours series from others, i hope if there was more videos not only 2 briefs because its the best

[@ALittleBitofPhilosophy]

You are very kind. Thanks for watching. I hope to produce more videos in the future. These are the product of being forced to teach online during the COVID lockdown. But as I teach a full schedule in Fall, Spring, and Summer, I have very little time. But I WILL make more, I promise.

[@lemonlover5011]

I can’t thank you enough you explained it so perfectly even my cat started to understand.

[@lufunomakhuba5737]

Your videos are great for teaching important philosophical concepts to the general public

[@ALittleBitofPhilosophy]

Thanks for your kind comment.

[@cheyennekurd]

I can' thank you enough for these highly informative videos. I was wondering if you will upload more content in the future adding to the existing playlists?

[@ALittleBitofPhilosophy]

Yes! I have a lot more videos I want to make. But I am still a full-time professor and teach a full load of classes (plus other work requirements), so I don't have loads of time. But again, yes, I do plan on making and posting more.

[@Youssefidammi]

Valuable content! I hope you do more videos on the Theory of Knowledge, sir!

[@ALittleBitofPhilosophy]

Hi Youssef! Thanks for watching. I plan on doing many more. These are the product of having to teach online during the pandemic lockdown. And, since I teach a full schedule all year long, I don't have as much time as I'd like to make more. BUT, I will get there!

[@anthonygirdler606]

I think I'm an empirical sceptic. Though that position feels untenable. Surely some of my beliefs are true and justified. Though if they are.... how would I know with certainty. Could be just luck. Even if everyone agreed with me and had perfect justifications, we could all be wrong. It feels like empirical scepticism is the only rational path for me.... but it's impractical. I would never learn anything and then build on that knowledge. I think I'll have to accept a little bit of dogmatism for the sake of practicality. Looking forward to learning more.

[@ALittleBitofPhilosophy]

I generally tend to agree with you. It's so important to remember that monikers like 'skepticism' or 'dogmatism' are really only placeholders for us to begin the conversation. It's really a continuum of positions with varying degrees of optimism and pessimism regarding what's knowable. Sounds like you've found a reasonable position, but always keep open and keep thinking!!!

[@shafouingue]

Thank you for making this high quality content ! 🙏

[@ALittleBitofPhilosophy]

You're very welcome, Hugo. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@lufunomakhuba5737]

Do you have a book that explains these philosophical concepts?

[@ALittleBitofPhilosophy]

No. These videos are based on lectures I do for my students and originated due to COVID. But, I decided to just keep sharing them with everyone since I received so much positive feedback from folks who found them useful. Perhaps some day I write a book, but honestly, it's hard work just keeping up with doing the videos. Best of luck to you!

[@alonthekiller]

This is still amazing. Cant wait to dive into all of your other videos

[@ALittleBitofPhilosophy]

Thanks for watching! I'm glad you find them useful. Keep in mind they are only designed as introductory information; there's so much more to understand if you really go deep in academic Philosophy.

[@alonthekiller]

@@ALittleBitofPhilosophy Yes, of course! I am starting my journey of philosophy and I'm glad I have found your channel. I'm planning on reading "Sophie's world" and "A new history of western philosophy" and I was looking for some introductory lever information to "soften the blow" before diving in and this was spot on :>

[@alonthekiller]

@@ALittleBitofPhilosophy While on the topic, what, in your opinion is the next step if I would like to learn about philosophy in a somewhat chronological way? meaning- where should I go after familiarizing myself with the main branches of philosophy?

[@barryvaughan290]

@@alonthekiller One of the best things to do is simply start reading the primary sources. Plato is a good place to begin as he writes in dialogue form, and touches on a wide variety of topics.

[@Smite0wpi]

what is square? pls answer

[@pauljohnson7791]

In my opinion, either the extreme skeptic is using _real_ words to ask if anything can be real - making their question invalid - or they are using unreal words - making their question invalid... Robert Audi said, "In my view, philosophy should - when possible - defend common sense, correcting it when necessary." That's what I'm going to base my knowledge on.

[@ALittleBitofPhilosophy]

I'm not quite sure I follow you hear. What do you mean by "real words"? I suspect you may be on to something important, but I'm just a little confused by the terminology.

[@JacquelineWolf-vi4zu]

I love your lectures.

[@ALittleBitofPhilosophy]

Thanks for commenting! I'm glad you find them valuable.

[@edwardwoods3097]

Fantastic material!

[@ALittleBitofPhilosophy]

I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@m53goldsmith]

I think I would have to disagree with your summary comments as regards relativism. As perception *is* reality, that is, what I perceive with my senses is what is real to me, how can anyone claim to know the objective truth about anything? You may be able to disprove, to my satisfaction, a belief I previously held by presenting evidence to my senses that change my mind. But again, that is my senses telling me that you are right. It still isn't objective, but rather subjective to me. Truth is what we agree it to be.

[@ALittleBitofPhilosophy]

I think the disagreement henges on what you mean by 'real'. Most philosophers use the term 'true' or 'real' as adjectives that describe the state of affairs that compose the universe. The truth is just whatever the universe turns out to be. That is distinct from what one perceives. Perception, as you rightly point out, is subjective; I have perceptions of the world mediated by my senses (which are very limited). But the fact that my perceptions may not (and almost certainly, to not) accurate capture the reality of the world around me, doesn't mean that there IS no world around me. What you seem to be saying would fall into the category of skepticism, not relativism. Skepticism does not reject the existence of an external world, it simply says we do not have sufficient access to it. Relatives is far more radical; it claims there IS no world to be perceived. Hope that helps! Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@JasonCodreanu]

Epistemic Relativist: There's no such thing as objective truth! Is that objectivity true? Lol

[@ALittleBitofPhilosophy]

;-)

[@TiagoFerreiraMarques]

Ceci n'est un pipe.