Etymology of Epistemology

Epistemology is a word meaning the study of knowledge and truth, while etymology is the study of the origins of words and the way in which those words have changed throughout history. When using etymology to help break down the word “epistemology” we learn that the definition of “truth” stems from the Indo-European word *deru meaning “tree” and that “knowledge” stems from the word *gno meaning “diagnosis.” In retrospect this means that epistemology has many branches and roots informing about knowledge and truth. Three philosophers that help us better grasp the concept of epistemology are Plato, Henry David Thoreau, and Jean-Paul Sartre. Although from different periods of time these three have a deeper understanding than most that should be re-examined.

In Plato’s “The Apology of Socrates,” it implies two things: 1) knowledge is unattainable by humans, but attainable by gods, and 2) knowledge is supernatural. This quote from helps support the implication of knowledge being attainable only by gods: “...but the truth is, O men of Athens, that God only is wise; and in this oracle he means to say that the wisdom of men is little or nothing...” The implication that knowledge is supernatural can help be supported by the following quote:

“ Can a man believe in spiritual and divine agencies, and not in spirits or demigods?

He cannot.

I am glad that I have extracted that answer, by the assistance of the court; nevertheless you swear in the indictment that I teach and believe in divine or spiritual agencies (new or old, no matter for that); at any rate, I believe in spiritual agencies, as you say and swear in the affidavit; but if I believe in divine beings, I must believe in spirits or demigods; - is not that true? Yes, that is true, fo...

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...did not create himself, yet is nevertheless at liberty, and from the moment that he is thrown into this world he is responsible for everything he does.” In general, Sartre is saying that we are the rulers of our lives, that we must bear the responsibility, and regardless of what we believe it cannot be any other way.

Plato, Henry David Thoreau, and Jean-Paul Sartre are three philosophers who knew exactly what they stood for and exactly how to express that. Although Plato from the classical style, Thoreau from romantic, and Sartre from modern, they all have pieces that remain timeless and are still able to connect to today’s technological world. With the help of etymology in breaking down epistemology, we are able to better understand our history of the study of knowledge and truth. We are able to attempt to gain our own knowledge of the subject, nature of knowledge.