metaepistemological

Metaepistemology is the philosophical study of epistemology itself. It investigates the nature, scope, and limits of knowledge, not in terms of what we know, but in terms of how we know it and what it means to claim knowledge. Rather than asking "What is knowledge?", a metaepistemological question would be "What is the nature of our epistemic claims?" or "How do we justify our beliefs about knowledge?".

This field examines the concepts and principles that underpin our understanding of knowledge. It delves into questions about how we define knowledge, what criteria we use to assess the validity of our beliefs, and the fundamental assumptions we make when we engage in the pursuit of knowledge. Metaepistemology explores the very foundations upon which epistemological theories are built.

Key areas of inquiry in metaepistemology include the analysis of epistemic concepts such as justification, belief, truth, and knowledge itself. It also considers the methods and methodologies employed in epistemology. For instance, metaepistemology might question whether epistemology is an a priori discipline, relying on reason alone, or if it is an empirical one, dependent on our experiences and observations. It seeks to understand the philosophical status of epistemology as a field of study.