Epistemological vs Esoteric - What's the difference?
epistemological | esoteric | Related terms |
Of or pertaining to epistemology or theory of knowledge, as a field of study.
* 1898 , E. A. Read, "Review of Vergleich der dogmatischen Systeme von R. A. Lipsius und A. Ritschl''," ''The American Journal of Theology , vol. 2, no. 1, p. 190,
* 1991 , Walt Wolfram, "The Linguistic Variable: Fact and Fantasy," American Speech , vol. 66, no. 1, p. 31,
Of or pertaining to knowing or cognizing, as a mental activity.
* 1969 , Sandra B. Rosenthal, "The 'World' of C. I. Lewis," Philosophy and Phenomenological Research , vol. 29, no. 4, p. 590,
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.
Having to do with concepts that are highly theoretical and without obvious practical application; often with mystical or religious connotations.
Confidential; private.
As adjectives the difference between epistemological and esoteric
is that epistemological is of or pertaining to epistemology or theory of knowledge, as a field of study 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.epistemological
English
Adjective
(en adjective)- The epistemological position of Ritschl, in our author's exposition of it, is little more than idealistic rationalism.
- My conclusion dovetails with Fasold's conclusion, which is based on a quite different, more epistemological kind of argument.
- The reality which thus emerges is the outcome of the epistemological process in which the mind conceptually structures a given content.
Usage notes
Many philosophers consider the standard sense of "epistemological" to be "of or pertaining to epistemology" and reserve the term "epistemic" for the sense "of or pertaining to knowing or cognizing."esoteric
English
Adjective
(en adjective)- ''The writing in this manual is very esoteric ; I need a degree in engineering just to understand it!