Theories in theory of knowledge

S.no Theory AOK/WOK Explanation

1 Theories of meaning Language 1. Definition Theory
2. Denotation Theory
3. Image theory
2 Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis Language Language determines our experience of reality, and we can see
and think only what our language allows us to see and think.
3 Theories of reality Perception 1. Common sense realism
2. Scientific realism
3. Phenomenalism
4 The James-Lange Theory Emotion The emotions are essentially physical In nature, and bodily
changes come before, and cause, emotional changes.
5 Current theory of Imagination Imagination This theory was recommended by Rutgers & Alan Leslie where
imagination is a three stage process; one acquires a mental
representation which is the primary representation and then we
copy and manipulate the image it is the second-order
representation.
6 Daniel Schacter’s seven sins of Memory Transience, absent-mindedness, blocking, suggestibility, bias,
memory persistence, misattribution.
7 Eileen Caddy on Intuition Intuition Suggesting that intuition is superior to reason and conscious
decision making, that it is, in fact, in some way divine.
8 Cross cultural intuition Intuition Frank Bernieri suggests that intuition leads us astray especially
when we are dealing with people outside of our usual cultural
context.
9 Kierkegaard’s philosophy Faith He argued that philosophy should begin not with doubt, but with
wonder, and said that the skepticism that arises from doubt
cannot be resolved by reason, but only by a resolution of the
will. He believed that we can, and should, decide to have faith.
10 The Unproven hypothesis of faith Faith An unproven hypothesis requires faith to believe it on the basis
of inconclusive evidence; we do not develop scientific
hypotheses solely with reason.
11 The assertion of faith Faith George Ellis, Emeritus professor of mathematics argues for the
necessity of faith.
12 Fallacies Reason Ad ignorantiam, hasty generalization, post hoc ergo propter hoc,
Ad hominem, Circular reasoning, Special pleading,
equivocation, false analogy, false dilemma, loaded question.
13 Platonism theory Mathematics Platonists believe that mathematical entities are discovered and
existed ‘out there’.
14 Formailism theory Mathematics This theory suggests faormalists argue that they are invented and
exist only ‘in the mind’.
15 Godel’s incompleteness theorem Mathematics This theorem states that it is impossible tp prove that a formal
mathematical system is free from contradiction.
16 Buffon’s needle problem Mathematics There is perfect order in the universe that can be uncovered by
mathematical thinking.
17 Karl Popper Natural The ability to explain everything is infact a weakness.
Science
18 Thomas Kuhn’s theory of science Natural 1. During periods of normal science, most scientists do not
Science question the paradigm in which they are operating and
focus instead on solving problems.
2. The history of science suggests that, rather than
progressing smoothly, science goes through a series of
revolution jumps.
3. During periods of scientific crisis, there is no purely
rational way of deciding between rival paradigms.
19 The Milgram Experiment Human 1. The Milgram experiment on obedience to authority figures was a
science series of social psychology experiments conducted by Yale
University psychologist Stanley Milgram.

20 Theories of punishment Human 1. Retribution theory- which justifies punishing criminals

science on the grounds that they deserve it.
2. Reform theory- which justifies punishing them only if it
will change their behavior.
21 The ‘great person’ theory of History This implies that if one or other great individual had not existed,
history then the course of history would have been different.
22 Economic determinism History This theory claims that history is determined by economic
factors, and its most famous exponent was Karl Marx.
23 Komar and Melamid Art Aesthetic judgment- there is a serious connection between art
and the biological basis of our sense.
24 Mimetic theory of art Art This theory states that the purpose of art is to copy reality.
25 Self interest theory Ethics According to this theory human beings are always and
everywhere selfish.
26 Religious Ethics Ethics This theory suggests where people refer to religious leaders,
texts and scriptures as an important source for moral insight and
guidance.
27 Duty Ethics Ethics This theory is fundamentally a matter of doing your duty and
fulfilling your obligations.
28 Kant’s Theory Ethics "Nothing can possibly be conceived in the world, or even out of
it, which can be called good without qualification, except a good
will."
29 Utilitarianism Ethics Utilitarianism is a theory in normative ethics holding that the
proper course of action is the one that maximizes utility, usually
defined as maximizing total benefit and reducing suffering or the
negatives.
30 David Hume’s argument against Religion He denied the existence of miracles and argued that it is never
miracles rational to believe in them because the weight of evidence must
always be against them.
31 Pascal’s wager Religion The gist of the Wager is that, according to Pascal, one cannot
come to the knowledge of God’s existence through reason alone,
so the wise thing to do is to live your life as if God does exist
because such a life has everything to gain and nothing to lose.
32 The seven dimensions of religion Religion The ritual dimension, the mythological dimension, the doctrinal
dimension, the ethical dimension, the experiential dimension and
the material dimension.

33 Lewis Henry Morgan and Herbert Indigenous This theory envisioned societies as stages in a linear progression
Spencer’s anthropologic theory knowledge of advancement, leading, as they conceived it, from savagery to
system barbarism to civilization.
34 Correspondence theory Truth and According to this theory a statement is true if it corresponds to a
wisdom fact.
35 Coherence theory Truth and This theory states a proposition is true if it fits in with our overall
wisdom set of beliefs.
36 Pragmatic theory Truth and A proposition is true if it is useful or works in practice.
wisdom
37 The cubist theory of truth Truth and According to this theory we get closer to the truth about a subject
wisdom with the more perspective we have on it.