Final answer:
Epistemology (option a) is the philosophical study of knowledge, examining questions about truth, justification, and the acquisition of knowledge. It applies analytical and logical tools to distinguish true knowledge from belief and covers both a priori and a posteriori knowledge.
Step-by-step explanation:
Epistemology: The Study of Knowledge
Epistemology is the study of knowledge. It is a philosophical field that addresses crucial questions about the essence of knowledge, the nature of truth, and the methods of acquiring knowledge. From the Greek words 'episteme' (knowledge) and 'logos' (explanation), epistemology explores the definition of knowledge, types of knowledge such as propositional knowledge, procedural knowledge, and knowledge by acquaintance, and the legitimacy of our beliefs. Aspects such as justification, the sources of beliefs, and the concept of truth are fundamental to this discipline.
Epistemology does not only seek a descriptive understanding of knowledge; it is also normative because it evaluates the standards and criteria for proper knowledge acquisition. Engaging tools like conceptual analysis and logical argumentation, epistemologists work to distinguish between true knowledge and mere belief. The domain of epistemology is broad, examining both a priori knowledge (knowledge independent of experience) and a posteriori knowledge (knowledge dependent on experience), as illustrated by empirical philosophers such as Aquinas. Given the depth and complexity of these inquiries, epistemology is crucial to the understanding of other fields including ethics, metaphysics, and logic. Overall, epistemology takes a central role in philosophical pursuits as it studies the very nature of human cognition and the limits of our understanding.