Epistemology

What this page covers

This unit sits in the strand Knowledge, Mind and Reality, in the subject Philosophy. It is about what we can know and how we come to know it. Most of the resources here are mind maps, with flashcards, notes, quizzes, slide sets and flowcharts alongside them.

The listed material follows a few clear threads: perception, the definition of knowledge, the debate between reason and experience, and truth.

Where to start

Begin with the mind map called Epistemology. It introduces Plato's three tests for certain knowledge, known as justified true belief, and then moves on to Descartes. The Philosophy AS - epistemology mind map is a good second step because it links perception and knowledge in one place.

Then follow the thread that matches your course:

• Perception: read the note on Representative Realism, then take the Direct Realism quiz.
• Reason and experience: open the Rationalism, Concept Empiricism and Tabula Rasa mind maps in that order.
• Idealism: try the Idealism mind map, which treats what is real as dependent on the mind.

Using quizzes and maps together

Read a map first, and say each branch aloud in your own words. Then take a quiz on the same topic. The Direct Realism quiz, for example, asks you to explain what direct realism claims, so it checks the same ideas as the perception maps. Anything you miss tells you which branch to reread.

Flashcard decks work well for key terms. Some are short sets of definitions, while others focus on one thinker such as Descartes or Hume. Use them to learn the vocabulary before you write longer answers.

Essay practice

Some maps are built around essay questions. One looks at the claim that the knower's perspective is essential in the pursuit of knowledge. Another takes the idea that we value only knowledge produced with difficulty. They show how a question can be broken into points, examples and counterarguments. The listed resources mention A-level Philosophy and IB, so school students will find material that fits those courses.

Make it your own

Choose one topic from this page, work through its map and quiz, then build a small set of your own flashcards to fill any gaps you found.