different between epistemological vs esoteric

English

Etymology

epistemology +? -ical

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /??p?st?m??l?d???k?l/

Adjective

epistemological (comparative more epistemological, superlative most epistemological)

1. Of or pertaining to epistemology or theory of knowledge, as a field of study.
   • 1898, E. A. Read, "Review of Vergleich der dogmatischen Systeme von R. A. Lipsius und A. Ritschl," The American Journal of Theology, vol. 2, no. 1, p. 190,

     The epistemological position of Ritschl, in our author's exposition of it, is little more than idealistic rationalism.

   • 1991, Walt Wolfram, "The Linguistic Variable: Fact and Fantasy," American Speech, vol. 66, no. 1, p. 31,

     My conclusion dovetails with Fasold's conclusion, which is based on a quite different, more epistemological kind of argument.

2. Of or pertaining to knowing or cognizing, as a mental activity.
   • 1969, Sandra B. Rosenthal, "The 'World' of C. I. Lewis," Philosophy and Phenomenological Research, vol. 29, no. 4, p. 590,

     The reality which thus emerges is the outcome of the epistemological process in which the mind conceptually structures a given content.

Usage notes

Many philosophers consider the standard sense of "epistemological" to be "of or pertaining to epistemology" and reserve the term "epistemic" for the sense "of or pertaining to knowing or cognizing."

Related terms

Translations

English

Alternative forms

• esoterick (obsolete)

Etymology

From Ancient Greek ?????????? (es?terikós, “belonging to an inner circle”), from ??????? (es?tér?, “further inside”), comparative of ??? (és?, “within”), from ?? (es), ??? (eis, “into”) (esoteric originally referred to the secret teachings of Greek philosophers, versus public or exoteric ones).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?i?s.???t??.?k/
• (US) IPA^(key): /??s.??t??.?k/, /??s.o??t??.?k/, enPR: ?s?t?r'?k, ?s?t?r'?k
• Rhymes: -?r?k

Adjective

esoteric (comparative more esoteric, superlative most esoteric)

1. Intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with a specialized knowledge or interest, or an enlightened inner circle.

   Synonyms: arcane, recondite

2. Having to do with concepts that are highly theoretical and without obvious practical application; often with mystical or religious connotations.
   • 1975, Saul Bellow, Humboldt's Gift [Avon ed., 1976, p. 278]:

     When he spoke to me of esoteric mysteries I wanted to say to him,"Don't give me that spiritual hokum, friend!"

   Synonym: cerebral

3. Confidential; private.

   Synonym: secretive

Antonyms

• exoteric

Related terms

Translations

See also

• exoterism
• metaphysical
• occult
• paranormal
• supernatural
• theoretical

Noun

esoteric (plural esoterics)

1. An esoteric doctrine or treatise; esoteric philosophy.
2. One who believes, or is an initiate, in esoteric doctrines or rites.

Anagrams

• coteries