Epistemology

Epistemology is the study of how we know. It is a branch of philosophy that focuses on the processes we must undertake in order to acquire knowledge. It is fundamental for the study of history for historians must investigate the past in order to recreate it in the present. Given that the past is elusive, hard to know with accuracy and, most of all, incredibly interesting, those who wish to practice history must understand the basic processes though which we acquire knowledge. The following are keywords historians must understand in order to conceive the intricacies of History as a social science.

Objectivity (objective): Any proposition (sentence) that is not influenced by the judgement of an individual or group. Any statement that is “mind-independent”, that is, it is not changed by our thoughts or ideas. The truth.

Subjectivity (Subjective): Any proposition (sentence) that is influenced by the judgement of an individual or group: a point of view. An opinion.

Bias: A particular tendency or inclination in thought, especially one that prevents objective consideration of an idea. A prejudice that alters one’s view of things to suit our preferences or interests.

Primary Source: Any source of information that is related to and that was created during the period of the Object of Study. Also any vestige created or otherwise produced during the period of study that is related to the object of study.

Secondary Source: Any information that involves analysis, synthesis, interpretation or evaluation of a Primary Source.

Object of Study: The central topic under study.

Epistemology: The study of how we learn and what knowledge is. What is knowledge? How is knowledge acquired? How do we know that we know? These are all questions related to Epistemology.

Historians try to be objective for their pursuit is Truth itself.