Epistemology

[Ace Otana]

I often hear people ask for proof when they are discussing various things but every body seems to have a different idea of where our knowledge comes from. The theory of knowledge is called epistemology. Its that branch of philosophy which covers how we know what we know.

Since the difference between the beliefs of atheists and the beliefs of theists is what they accept as evidence then I'd like to ask people about what they consider valid sources of knowledge. I guess the kinds of questions I'd like to ask are as follows; In your opinion what does evidence consist of? Do you think that evidence is that which proves something to be true? What sources of knowledge do you accept as valid? Do you believe that task of science is to prove things? What do you consider to be proof? Perhaps you can give examples to illustrate your opinions.

Thank you very much.

Pete

Evidence as in something that can be studied. You can't study an apple if there is no apple.

How do we know how well alchahol works on cars? We study and look into it. Evidence is study, it is something that can be detected and studied. You can't study bacteria if you cannot detect it.

God is non-detectable and so un-studiable and that means lack of evidence. You can't study what you can't detect. That's why religion is just a belief. Religion is worthless without evidence/Data. No data would mean dismissal of claims.

Evidence is important for any claim. No evidence would mean doubts which in turn means dismissal...In other words rejecting claims.

Evidence must be detectable. Evolution has evidence, it has detectable materials which can be studied and the studys show that evolution is correct.

Religion won't be taken seriously without evidence. You must have detectable material to study.

Evidence is based on the detectable.