Knowledge grows and changes continuously, to higher organization and complexity {evolutionary epistemology}. The best ideas survive. Humans hold knowledge using metaconcepts developed during evolution: logic, simplicity, mathematical relations, and curiosity. Metaconcepts helped people survive.
Brains are computers with fixed code, registers, and programs {instructionism, epistemology}.
Physical reality is describable by independent propositions, verified independently {logical atomism}. However, propositions about physical reality are not verifiable independently of fundamental propositions. Verification criteria must be consistent and complete, but this is not possible.
Mind is functions and works by responses that condition to stimuli to formulate propositions {logical behaviorism} {philosophical behaviorism}. Thinking and doing have different types and cannot compare. Mental states do not exist. Brain has only dispositions to move. Sense qualities are dispositions to behave or to act intelligently, not internal representations. Brain has no person or mentality {ghost in the machine} [Ryle].
Only observations and experiments can establish statement truth or falsity {logical positivism, realism}.
Mental things are in the physical world {naturalism, epistemology}|. Science can evaluate belief strategies and criteria to give knowledge.
Representations do not explain behavior. Knowledge of unconscious skilled actions can explain behavior {phenomenological critique of representationalism}.
Physical properties can realize mental properties {physicalism, epistemology}.
People can only know sense data {physical phenomenalism}, which is what they experience or describe about objects.
Knowledge is only about observable facts and relations {positivism}|.
Knowledge is passive perception {sensationalism, realism}.
Knowledge and society depend on social relations, subjective human activities, and human values {social constructionism}.
People construct internal reality from sense data and cannot know if that reality corresponds to physical world {structural realism}. Evolution has provided space, time, and color categories, which people need in human environments.
6-Philosophy-Epistemology-Theory
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Date Modified: 2022.0225