UP

Two Epistemological Triads

Three kinds of knowledge, three ways of knowing, two epistemological triads explored.
Kinds of Judgement
We compare and contrast the nature and content of analytic, synthetic, and value judgements.
Ways of Knowing
The scope and value of formal, intuitive and emotional sources of knowledge.
The Matrix
ANALYTIC
SYNTHETIC
EVALUATIVE

F
O
R
M
A
L

Formality
and
Analyticity
 
Logic
and
Values
I
N
T
U
I
T
I
V
E
 
Intuition
in
Science
 
E
M
O
T
I
O
N
A
L
Emotion
in
Analysis
 
Emotion
and
Values

At first glance the leading diagonal is where its at:
  1. Analytic knowledge is best established by formal proof.
  2. Synthetic knowledge often demands an intuitive leap which goes beyond what deduction will countenance.
  3. For a true sense of values the heart must be consulted, and delivers its verdict through our emotions.
But life's not that simple: the off-diagonal combinations won't go away.

up home © RBJ created 1997/7/9 modified 1997/7/12