Dictionary

episteme en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• /ˌɛp.əˈsti.mi/ (General-American)
• ĕpĭstēʹmĭ (Received-Pronunciation)
• /ˌɛp.ɪˈstiː.mi/ (Received-Pronunciation)
• (US) audio
• /ˈɛp.ɪsˌtiːm/ (proscribed)

Etymology

Etymology tree Ancient Greek ἐπῐ́σταμαι (epĭ́stamai) Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂ Proto-Hellenic *-ā́ Ancient Greek -ᾱ (-ā) Ancient Greek -η (-ē) Ancient Greek ἐπιστήμη (epistḗmē)bor. English episteme Borrowed from Ancient Greek ἐπιστήμη (epistḗmē, “knowledge”).

Meanings

1. Scientific knowledge; a principled system of understanding; sometimes contrasted with empiricism.
2. (Ancient-Greek, specifically) Know-how; compare techne.
3. (qualifier:specifically Foucaultian philosophy) The fundamental body of ideas and collective presuppositions that defines the nature and sets the bounds of what is accepted as true knowledge in a given epistemic epoch.
   • An 'episteme' is the “underground” grid or network which allows thought to organize itself. Each historical period has its own episteme. It limits the totality of experience, knowledge and truth, and governs each science in one period. Classical representation no longer needs a subject like royalty. It can only be made visible by its invisibility — by appearing in the mirror of representation. The true subject is never to be found in the table — or painting — as a historical subject of life, labour and language. The classical episteme did not isolate a specific domain proper to man. Axiom: In the classical episteme the subject is bound to escape its own representation. 1997: Chris Horrocks, Introducing Foucault, pages 65 and 71 (Totem Books, Icon Books; →ISBN)

Forms

Relateds

epistemologist · epistemonical · epistemology · epistemic · techne · epistemically · phronesis · agnoia · epistemics · epistemological · epistemologically

Translations (5)

fr épistémè (philosophy (general): scientific knowledge) · pt epísteme (philosophy (general): scientific knowledge) · de Episteme (Foucaultian philosophy) · fr épistémè (Foucaultian philosophy) · de Episteme (Ancient Greek philosophy)