What does "episteme" mean?
Scientific knowledge; a principled system of understanding; sometimes contrasted with empiricism.
Episteme
/ˌɛp.ɪˈstiː.mi/ noun
noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Scientific knowledge; a principled system of understanding; sometimes contrasted with empiricism.
- Grammar: episteme is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: discursive framework, epistemic framework, epistemic ground, foundational knowledge.
- Useful contrasts: ignorance, opinion.
- Usage evidence: 1997: Chris Horrocks, Introducing Foucault, pages 65 and 71 (Totem Books, Icon Books; →ISBN An 'episteme' is the “underground” grid or network which allows thought to organize itself. Each historical period has its own episteme. It limits the totality of experience, knowledge and truth, and governs each science in one period. Classical representation no longer needs a subject like royalty. It can only be made visible by its invisibility — by appearing in the mirror of representation. The true subject is never to be found in the table — or painting — as a historical subject of life, labour and language. The classical episteme did not isolate a specific domain proper to man. Axiom: In the classical episteme the subject is bound to escape its own representation.
How to use "episteme"
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Meaning check
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Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "episteme" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
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Check whether "episteme" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
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Final meaning check
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Definitions
Noun
- 1 Scientific knowledge; a principled system of understanding; sometimes contrasted with empiricism.
- 2 the body of ideas that determine the knowledge that is intellectually certain at any particular time wordnet
- 3 Know-how; compare techne. Ancient-Greek, specifically
- 4 The fundamental body of ideas and collective presuppositions that defines the nature and sets the bounds of what is accepted as true knowledge in a given epistemic epoch.
"1997: Chris Horrocks, Introducing Foucault, pages 65 and 71 (Totem Books, Icon Books; →ISBN An 'episteme' is the “underground” grid or network which allows thought to organize itself. Each historical period has its own episteme. It limits the totality of experience, knowledge and truth, and governs each science in one period. Classical representation no longer needs a subject like royalty. It can only be made visible by its invisibility — by appearing in the mirror of representation. The true subject is never to be found in the table — or painting — as a historical subject of life, labour and language. The classical episteme did not isolate a specific domain proper to man. Axiom: In the classical episteme the subject is bound to escape its own representation."
Synonyms
All synonyms discursive frameworkepistemic frameworkepistemic groundfoundational knowledgehistorical paradigmknowledge
Example
"1997: Chris Horrocks, Introducing Foucault, pages 65 and 71 (Totem Books, Icon Books; →ISBN An 'episteme' is the “underground” grid or network which allows thought to organize itself. Each historical period has its own episteme. It limits the totality of experience, knowledge and truth, and governs each science in one period. Classical representation no longer needs a subject like royalty. It can only be made visible by its invisibility — by appearing in the mirror of representation. The true subject is never to be found in the table — or painting — as a historical subject of life, labour and language. The classical episteme did not isolate a specific domain proper to man. Axiom: In the classical episteme the subject is bound to escape its own representation."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "episteme"?
Common synonyms include: discursive framework, epistemic framework, epistemic ground, foundational knowledge, historical paradigm, knowledge.
How do you use "episteme" in a sentence?
1997: Chris Horrocks, Introducing Foucault, pages 65 and 71 (Totem Books, Icon Books; →ISBN An 'episteme' is the “underground” grid or network which allows thought to organize itself. Each historical period has its own episteme. It limits the totality of experience, knowledge and truth, and governs each science in one period. Classical representation no longer needs a subject like royalty. It can only be made visible by its invisibility — by appearing in the mirror of representation. The true subject is never to be found in the table — or painting — as a historical subject of life, labour and language. The classical episteme did not isolate a specific domain proper to man. Axiom: In the classical episteme the subject is bound to escape its own representation.
How do you pronounce "episteme"?
Pronounced /ˌɛp.ɪˈstiː.mi/.
Etymology
From Ancient Greek ἐπιστήμη (epistḗmē, “knowledge”).