Epistemology

Epistemology (from Greek ἐπιστήμη - episteme-, "knowledge, science" + λόγος, "logos") or theory of knowledge is the branch of philosophy concerned with the nature and scope (limitations) ofknowledge.^[1] It addresses the questions:

• What is knowledge?
• How is knowledge acquired?
• What do people know?
• How do we know what we know?

Much of the debate in this field has focused on analyzing the nature of knowledge and how it relates to similar notions such as truth, belief, and justification. It also deals with the means of production of knowledge, as well as skepticism about different knowledge claims.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epistemology

I thought I would make this kind of a questionnaire. I found it quite interesting to wonder how we actually decide to believe something as true. Everyone applies this in their lives at some point and for me, I am a Christian, so from my understanding of the world around me, I come to the conclusion that Christianity is the truth, it is the best explanation for the way everything is.

Firstly I define truth as "what is real".

How I determine what I believe to be true is by taking the best conclusion regarding a situation. This is all we can do in many cases... in fact, most cases. In our daily lives we put faith in the chairs we sit on without scientifically testing them to see if they will hold us up. We drink cups of water trusting that it is safe to drink.

I believe science is an excellent way of finding truth, but it cannot be the only way (practically), because we do not know the limits or scope of science as of yet. No one lives like science is the only way to finding truth. Even if someone did manage to, they would still be trusting their measurements every time they conducted science. To find truth I believe is by using science, philosophy (or common sense), history or personal experience. I don't mean to make up imaginary thinks such as Flying Spaghetti monsters to explain everything. To believe something should include real reasons why to believe something.

I don't believe that you have to test something with a tube to determine its reality. I can see the affects of many things that I cannot test but understand to be true. History is one. I can see the results of history but not history itself. I can see the results of the formation of this world but not the formation of the world itself. I can see the affects of gravity, but not gravity itself.

I believe in Christianity for many reasons, both scientifically and philosophically. Here are several reasons:

General complexity in creation -

People

Planetary positioning etc

Life itself

The Bible -

Prophecy

Miracles

History

Testimonies -

Prophecy

Miracles

Answered prayer

Personal experience

History -

Success of the spread of Christianity

Philosophy -

The idea of a personal God is the most convincing for me

Existence of morality in mankind

The ability to reason

How about you?

How do you determine what you believe to be true?

What do you believe regarding your world view?

Do you believe science is the only way to finding truth?

Do you believe philosophy is the best way to coming to a conclusion about truth?

Is it a mixture of both?

Or is it something I have not mentioned?

Thinking this through may challenge us in what we believe, strengthen us in what we believe.

God gave us brains...use them :)

cheers,

Daniel