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3. Methodology of scientific knowledge. Empirical and theoretical levels of
scientific knowledge.
4. Scientific revolutions and problems of science development.

Key concepts: Epistemology, Сognition, Gnosis, Method, Methodology,
Subject of cognition, Object of cognition, Truth/falsity, Practice.

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Epistemology – (Gk., epistenie, knowledge) the theory of knowledge. Its central
questions include the origin of knowledge; the place of experience in generating

knowledge, and the place of reason in doing so; the relationship between knowledge
and certainty, and between knowledge and the impossibility of error; the possibility
of universal *scepticism; and the changing forms of knowledge that arise from new

conceptualizations of the world.
Сognition – cognitive processes are those responsible for knowledge and
awareness. They include the processing of experience, perception, and memory, as
well as overtly verbal thinking.

Gnosis – (Gk., knowledge) the root is found in agnosticism, gnosticism,
diagnosis, prognosis and gnoseology, an obsolete term for epistemology. In

theological writings gnosis is the higher knowledge of spiritual things, often with
reference to claims to such knowledge made by gnosticism.
Method – since philosophy is largely the activity of reflecting on modes of
thought, it is not surprising that its own methods are subject to its scrutiny. While

different schools have frequently made claims for the one correct approach to
philosophical problems, the march of history has not seen any consensus emerge.
Methodology – the general study of method in particular fields of enquiry:

science, history, mathematics, psychology, philosophy, ethics. Obviously any field
can be approached more or less successfully and more or less intelligently.
Subject of cognition - one who knows, carries out cognitive activity

(individual, social group).
Object of cognition is that which is known (things, phenomena, processes, etc.).
Truth/falsity – the two classical truth-values that a statement, proposition, or

sentence can take. It is supposed in classical (two-valued) logic that each statement
has one of these values, and none has both. A statement is then false if and only if it
is not true.
Practice (from the Greek - an act, activity) - is a purposeful objective activity of

people purpose, which is the transformation of reality.
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