Epistemology, the theory of knowledge, is practical, and this salon series by Arkadiusz Synowczyk will prove why and how.
Epistemology, the theory of knowledge, is often understood as a subject worthy of study, if at all, for the sake of itself. In this new salon series, Arkadiusz Synowczyk, a philosophy student specializing in epistemology, will show how this approach is fundamentally misguided. Epistemology, far from a purely theoretical subject, will be shown as providing crucial guidance in one’s daily life.
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New episodes are released every second Sunday on 11:30 am UTC-4
| Date | Episode |
| July 2, 2023 | 1. What, Why and How: Epistemology and its Fundamental Practical Implications. The series will start with ontological premises upon which epistemology lies, and the resulting fundamental principles of how we ought to think – “the laws of thought.” The topics discussed will include, among others, the most fundamental premises behind logical thinking, the “three laws of thought,” and what basic philosophy of mind can teach us about proper thinking. This discussion, in turn, will inform our inquiries in all future episodes. |
| July 16, 2023 | 2. Clear and Meaningful Thought. In the second episode, we will focus on an aspect of what an inductive approach to knowledge entails. Specifically, we will explore the nature and importance of ensuring that our thoughts are clear and meaningful. This will be done by examining how those two issues illuminate one’s thinking about daily life problems, including psychological ones, and the topic of values. |
| July 30, 2023 | 3. Imagining Different Conceptual Worlds. This episode will discuss how, given the previous advice, one should approach concepts – the building blocks of our thoughts. We will discuss the nature of concepts as mental entities, which, in many cases, can and could have been different. In the process of doing so, we will illuminate some central issues of religion, psychological problems, ethics and politics. |
| August 13, 2023 | 4. The Power of Evidence and the Structural Nature of Knowledge. In the previous episode, we will have discussed how we should approach concepts. During this meeting, we will delve into the specific concepts of “evidence” and “knowledge.” We will discuss their basic meaning, the need to ground our beliefs in evidence, and the fact that knowledge has a structural form. In doing so, we will discuss what all of that implies for our lives. Those implications will illuminate, most importantly, our thinking about religion, psychological doubts, ethics and politics. |
| August 27, 2023 | 5. The Five Methods of Inductive Reasoning In the fifth episode of the series, we will delve into the five methods of inductive reasoning identified by Francis Bacon and J. S. Mill. This thought-provoking episode will leave viewers with a profound understanding of these remarkable methods, empowering them to navigate the complexities of knowledge acquisition and make informed decisions in their daily lives. |
| September 10, 2023 | 6. The Art of Explanation In this last episode of the series, we will delve into the topic of explanatory reasoning. We will discuss what explanation is and what are the norms of proper explanation. With practical applications across various fields, this thought-provoking episode will empower viewers to harness the power of explanation, enabling them to make informed decisions, solve complex problems, and gain a richer understanding of the world around them. |
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