A theory that recognizes the learners' understanding and knowledge based on their own experiences prior to entering school. Rather than simply taking in knowledge, learners take the opportunity to reinforce and build their own understanding of the topic, derived from what they already know and what is being presented to them.

Constructivism (in Education)

The theory that what we consider “reality” is a collection of collaboratively constructed views of the world created through social interactions that then become the basis for shared assumptions, meanings, and ascribed values within a society.

Social Constructionism

The view that knowledge does not exist as a singular objective truth, but rather as a collection of constructions made by humans. We can only interact with reality through our interpretation of it. No interpretation is more or less “accurate”, but rather more or less applicable/helpful to our own experiences.

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- Empiricism
- Rationalism
- Skepticism
- Pragmatism
- Naturalized epistemology
- Feminist epistemology
- Epistemic Relativism
- Epistemic Constructivism
- Epistemic Idealism
- Bayesian epistemology
- Indian pramana

Schools of Thought in Epistemology

Raskin, J. D., & Bridges, S. K. (2002). Studies in Meaning: Exploring Constructivist Psychology. Pace University Press.

Studies in Meaning: Exploring Constructivist Psychology

Epistemic Constructivism

Empiricism is a method of acquiring knowledge that relies on direct observation and personal experience. It forms a foundational way of understanding the world based on what can be seen, heard, or otherwise sensed in the environment.

Empiricism

A school of founded on the premise that ideas, policies, and initiatives should be judge on their usefulness, workability, and practicality. It emphasizes the importance of action over dogma, of experience over set principles, and of concepts borrowing meaning from their consequences and truths for their proof. As a result, ideas are primarily tools and plans of action. 

Pragmatism

Posits that there is no actual normative role for epistemology. Epistemology does not tell individuals what they should believe; rather, its sole valid function is to describe how information, particularly scientific knowledge, is acquired. 

Naturalized Epistemology 

A school of thought that aims to investigate the role of gender in the creation of knowledge. 

Feminist Epistemology 

An approach to epistemology that revolves around epistemic justification. The central claim is that knowledge can only be seen as valid relative to a specific context, society, culture or individual

Epistemic Relativism

An approach to epistemology based on the position that knowledge is actively created by the cognising subject, rather than being passively received from the surrounding environment.

The view that knowledge is the individual's ability to contemplate the environment surrounding them, and think about the purposes of the eternal and spiritual reality they are manifested in as facts. The idealist looks for broad principles in the universe which can be elevated to the status of univeral truths. 

Epistemic Idealism 

A school of thought that attempts to deal with epistemological questions through the use of the mathematical theory of probability. It relies on the use of  probability calculus to represent degrees of belief and then applies this  same technique to challenges of belief change, confirmation, evidence, justification, and coherence. 

Bayesian Epistemology

Rationalism is a method of acquiring knowledge that relies on stating premises and following logical rules to arrive at sound conclusions. If the initial premises are correct and logic is applied appropriately, this method provides a valid means of understanding and acquiring new information.

Rationalism

Scientists cultivate an attitude of skepticism, which means pausing to consider alternatives and to search for evidence—especially systematically collected empirical evidence—when there is enough at stake to justify doing so. It does not mean being cynical, distrustful, or questioning every claim one comes across.

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