This is a lecture slide for a new module introduced by the Malaysian government which is Falsafah dan Isu Semasa. Commonly taught in Bahasa Malaysia. This slide is in English.

1. PHILOSOPHY &
CURRENT ISSUES
Topic 6: Epistemology
By Fadhilah Raihan Lokman
SLAS, Taylor’s University

2. LEARNING OUTCOMES
To explain theories and the
requirement of knowledge.
To clarify numerous epistemology methods
(rationalism, empiricism).
To elaborate theories related to Truth, which are The
Correspondence Theory, The Coherence Theory and The
Pragmatic Theory, Religion and Tradition.

4. EPISTEMOLOGI
Definition: “theory of knowledge”
• In Greek: episteme
(knowledge or truth) and
logos (knowledge or
truth).
• In Arabic : al-’IIm
• In English : science
Knowledge theory, Scientific
theory
Knowing compared to
knowledge
1. Issues or problems pertaining to the
fact of knowledge, truth, surety or
reliablity of knowledge and fact of
human needs and freedom in
knowledge.
2. The rational ability to evaluate and
determine the value of human cognitive
experience from their interactions within
themselves and their surroundings.
3. Disciplinary knowledge that is evaluative,
normative (to establish standard) dan
critical (to interpret and analyze) and
argue the authenticity and reliability of
information.

5. EPISTEMOLOGI
Theoretical study of knowledge
• Definition of Knowledge
• Knowledge Attributes
A belief that is based on something that is truthful
• Justified True Belief

6. KNOWLEDGE ATTRIBUTES
• To belief and have
conviction on what is
deemed as
knowledge.
Belief
• Trusted
knowledge must
be true.
Truth • Trust derives from
the basis of truth.
Justification
/Basis
Trust based on
something that is true.

7. Renaissance
Enlightenment Scientific
Revolution
Industrial
Revolution
KNOWLEDGE
Rationalism - Empiricism
Religion
Religion
Modernization
Modernization

8. EPISTEMOLOGY THEORY
1 Rationalisme
School of
Thought
2 Empiricism
School of
Thought
● Puts great emphasis on the pursuit of
knowledge.
● Rationalism was introduced by modern
philosophers Descartes, Leibniz and Spinoza
• Derives from logic and math - without the
interference of observation or experience.
• Critically reshapes human knowledge by applying
the fundamental principle of thoughts, as stated
by Descartes “I think,therefore I am” .
Puts great emphasis on the pursuit of
knowledge
• Empiricism was introduced by Locke,
Berkeley dan Hume
• Humans’ perceptions and knowledge
derive from sensory experience.
• Empiricists emphasize that a human mind
has no innate knowledge and knowledge is
obtained from sensory experience.

9. Empiricism Thought
Rationalism Thought
• Knowledge is obtained
through our 5 senses.
• Among the philosophers:
John Locke and David
Hume.
•Knowledge is obtained
through a rational mind.
•Our senses do not
necessarily reflect reality.

10. VARIOUS METHODS AND
SOURCES OF KNOWLEDGE

11. • Rationalism
• Empiricism
• Sceptisism
• Dogmatism (Revelation
and Tradition)
• Intuition and Inspiration
• Local knowledge
• Wisdom
Different School of
Thoughts

12. THEORIES OF TRUTH
Belief
Truth
Justification/Basis
Correspondence
Theory
Coherence Theory
Pragmatic Theory

13. Theory of
Truth
1.Correspondence
2.Coherence
3.Pragmatics
4.Religion and
tradition

14. Theory of Truth
Correspondence Theory
• Truth is what
corresponds to facts.
• Meaning: a proposition is true if it
corresponds to facts.
• Example: ‘Kota Bharu’ is in Kelantan.
• Weakness of the theory: How are
we supposed to verify or confirm the
truth if the reality cannot be
actualised or visually presented?
Does it mean the concept of afterlife
or hereafter is false?
Truth depends on the
followings:
- sentence or a statement;
- that corresponds to or
reflects;
- facts or reality;
- depicted or described by
the sentence or the
statement

15. Theory of Truth
Coherence Theory
• A statement or a proposition is true
when it is coherent or consistent
with other things considered true.
• Similar to rationalism
• Example: If A = B and B = C, therefore
C = A.
• Premise 1: All even numbers are
divisible by 2 and leave no remainder
Premise 2: 4 divided by 2 leave no
remainder,
Conclusion: 4 is an even number
• This justifies the Theory of
Correspondence
•Comparing a statement
with another statement
•Accepted as true when
it is consistent with the
other statement.
Truth is determined by;

16. Theory of Truth
PRAGMATIC THEORY
• Thinking is done by humans to shape
certain ideas and to fulfill their wants
and needs in life.
• Usually found in scientific knowledge -
Scientific Theory.
• Truth is relative
• Falsity can still occur through rational
thoughts while pragmatism allows
temporary usefulness to justify truth
Understanding an
Elephant

17. Theory of Truth
RELIGION & TRADITION

18. EPISTEMOLOGY FOR OUR EVERY DAY
LIFE
EPISTEMOLOGY TO FOSTER THE ATTAINMENT OF
KNOWLEDGE

19. KNOWLEDGE
Philosophy
Science
Religion
THE UNITY OF KNOWLEDGE:
PHILOSOPHY, RELIGION AND SCIENCE

20. Philosophy, Religion and Science
Scientific knowledge Philosophy
Focuses on specific disciplines or
areas like physics.
General and comprehensive in
nature.
Analyses factual data but
(only) functions within its
limitations.
Analyzes fundamental truths and values
which include humans’ lives, the world
they live in and their relationships to
the world and each other.
Studies concepts Studies the validity and reliability of
truths and facts
Arguments and propositions are
discipline or area-specific
Arguments and propositions transcend
all disciplines and areas.
States that the purpose of
knowledge is to explain how
humans were created and
determine their characteristics
States that the purpose of philosophy
is to find out the origins of humans,
their relationship with the world and
each other and their endings.
Uses empirical
methods
Uses rationalism/rational thinking
Summarizes facts. Speculative in nature and does not
provide absolute beliefs or truths.
Religion Philosophy
Religion is absolute. Philosophy is dependent of culture
(related to culture).
Created by God Created by humans.
Source of
assumption.
Challenges assumptions
Prioritises beliefs
over thoughts
Believes in the power of
thoughts or thinking.
To believe in truths
and religious
dogmas.
Does not admit
religious dogmas as
truths.

21. THE UNITY OF KNOWLEDGE:
PHILOSOPHY, RELIGION AND
SCIENCE
✔ All seek for truth.
✔ Philosophy and knowledge have
limitations. Only religion is
absolute.
✔ It is impossible that a true religion
contradicts truth. .
✔ Religion is a non-speculative
belief that is constant (does not
change).
• PHILOSOPHY
– Philosophy can only
provide speculative,
non-convincing
answers.
• RELIGION
– Religion is able to
answer questions
pertaining to truths and
facts that cannot be
answered
comprehensively by
philosophers.
– Knowledge and science
can only provide
immediate answers.

22. UNITY OF KNOWLEDGE
• Weaknesses of mono-disciplinary
knowledge:
1. Puts limitations on one’s attempt
to understand knowledge
2. Presents contrasting opinions
according to different fields
• Scientists collaborate to link
disciplines of knowledge.
No longer mono-disciplinary but
trans-disciplinary.
Secularism and liberalism
cause failure in knowledge.
• The failure to unite knowledge
comes in 3 stages:
1. Unity between philosophy,
knowledge and religion.
2. Unity between revelations and
rational thinking.
Unity between revelations and
scientific knowledge.

23. Thank You