Epistemology is the branch of philosophy that considers the nature, scope, and limits of human knowledge. The term derives from the Greek language: episteme- (knowledge; from epistasthai = know, know how to do) and logos (study of the nature and properties of, logic or theory). Epistemologists ask whether and to what extent knowledge is based on the existence of phenomena and/or on human perceptions. Their goal is to provide a general basis that would ensure the possibility of knowledge. A continuum of epistemological assumptions exists, ranging from the perspective that there is an objective “real” truth that humans can discover to the perspective that humans create their own meanings, resulting in the possibility of many meanings for a particular object or event.

With respect to human communication theory, every theory includes assumptions about the nature of knowledge and how humans obtain knowledge. Epistemology provides background understanding about how to examine the interconnections between aspects of human communication and the best research protocol to serve as an instrument of knowledge for understanding human communication. Discussions related to processes of scholarly inquiry and theory development are inevitably grounded in epistemological issues.

Littlejohn, Stephen W and Karen A.Floss. (2009). Encyclopedia of Communication Theory.USA:SAGE.418

Penanggungjawab naskah :

Gayes Mahestu
Edwina Ayu Kustiawan