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Epistemic vs Esoteric - What's the difference?

epistemic | esoteric |

As adjectives the difference between epistemic and esoteric

is that epistemic is of or relating to knowledge or cognition; cognitive while esoteric is intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with a specialized knowledge or interest, or an enlightened inner circle.

epistemic

English

Adjective

(-)
  • Of or relating to knowledge or cognition; cognitive.
  • * 1981 , Martin Warner, “Review of Metaphor and Thought'' by Andrew Ortony”, ''The Modern Language Review , vol. 76, no. 2, p. 428,
  • Metaphors provide epistemic access to the world via the articulation of new ideas at a stage when literal language cannot cope.
  • * {{quote-web
  • , year = 2008 , author = Paul Vincent Spade , title = Medieval Theories of Obligationes , site = Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy , url = http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/obligationes/ , accessdate = 2012-07-15 }}
    Second, note the role of the respondent's epistemic state. It is a factor in determining the correct replies, but only when the propositum is irrelevant.
  • (rare) Of or relating to theory of knowledge (epistemology).
  • * 2000 , Timm Triplett, “Review of The Philosophy of Roderick M. Chisholm''”, ''The Philosophical Review , vol. 109, no. 3, p. 452,
  • Audi considers whether Chisholm might be able to incorporate into his epistemic system an internalist evidential grounding requirement.

    Usage notes

    Philosophers usually differentiate the meanings of “epistemic” and “epistemological”. They generally use “epistemic” in the sense “of or relating to knowledge or cognition” and use “epistemological” in the sense “of or relating to epistemology”. [citation needed]

    Derived terms

    * epistemic logic * epistemically

    esoteric

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with a specialized knowledge or interest, or an enlightened inner circle.
  • ''The writing in this manual is very esoteric ; I need a degree in engineering just to understand it!
  • Having to do with concepts that are highly theoretical and without obvious practical application; often with mystical or religious connotations.
  • Confidential; private.
  • Synonyms

    * (understood only by a chosen few or an enlightened inner circle) arcane, recondite * cerebral * secretive

    Antonyms

    * exoteric

    See also

    * exoterism * metaphysical * occult * paranormal * supernatural * theoretical

    Anagrams

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