Mormon epistemology
The philosophical branch of epistemology seeks to analyze and/or critique one's justification for a knowledge claim. In other words, epistemology is the study of how one knows something to be true. In the Mormon religion, there are many different epistemological schemes present which Mormons will use to say that their belief on any given issue is "true" or justified.
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[edit] Popular forms of epistemology
[edit] Rationalism
Rationalism is an epistemological appeal to human reason to justify a truth claim. For example, a rationalist would say that any given proposition is true merely because it makes sense to him. A rationalist would say things like:
- "Joseph Smith is a prophet because it makes sense to me that he is a prophet"
[edit] Empiricism
Empiricism appeals to human experience as justification for a truth claim.
- "I know that the Book of Mormon is truly from God becuase I experienced a warm, burning in my cheast when I prayed about it"
[edit] Fideism
Fideism claims that a proposition is true because one believes to be true.
- "I know the Mormon Church is God's true church because I believe it is God's true church"
[edit] Mysticism
Mysticism is an appeal to a mystical experience to justify a truth claim.
- "After I was baptized for my dead grandmother in the LDS temple she came to me from the other side and thanked me for helping her progress in the afterlife, therefore I know that proxy baptisms are legitimate"
[edit] Analyzing official LDS truth claims
It is no secret that there are a number of Mormons who have different personal epistemologys which often differ from the views expressed in official, Church sanctioned publications (the standard works, manuals of religion, The Gospel Through the Ages, etc...). It will be most beneficial to examine the LDS truth claims in light of the official publications of the LDS Church.
[edit] LDS truth claims
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[edit] The Book of Mormon is true
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[edit] The Mormon Church is true
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[edit] Joseph Smith was a true Prophet of God
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