2015-08-21
351
MAIN TEXT. HISTORY OF EPISTEMOLOGY
Approaching the Text: Skimming
Task 1. [individually, then in pairs]
Skim the text as quickly as you can to find out how knowledge is viewed in each approach/theory mentioned. Then match the names of the approaches/theories in the first column to the short descriptions in the second column.
| 1. The views of Greek philosophers | (a) Knowledge is the result of organizing the information perceived on the basis of inborn cognitive structures, or "categories". |
| 2. Reflection-correspondence theory | (b) Knowledge is identified with models aiming to represent the reality in such a way as to maximally simplify problem-solving. |
| 3. Kantian synthesis of rationalism and empiricism | (c) Knowledge is viewed as independent of any concrete individual. A piece of knowledge can be communicated from one subject to another, preserving its existence even after the individual who carries it dies. |
| 4. Pragmatic epistemology | (d) Knowledge is built by subjects in such a way as to maximally contribute to their adaptation to the existing conditions. |
| 5. Constructivism | (e) Knowledge is an apprehension of necessary and universal principles. |
| 6. Evolutionary epistemology | (f) Knowledge is created from the very beginning by the subject of knowledge. |
| 7. Memetics | (g) Knowledge is the result of reflection of external reality by means of sense organs and other observation instruments. |
