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Words: epistemology and serendipity



 
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Words: epistemology and serendipity Sat Nov 18, 2006 20:06 pm  Words: epistemology and serendipity
 

Hello,

Ever since I encountered them, I have been quite fascinated by the words
'epistemology' and 'serendipity'.

I would like some discussion on these: the etymology, any linguistic history, any on-topic writing/ books you may have come across or just telling me whether and how they mean anything to you.

Best regards,

Satish.
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" The mundane of one people is exotica for another. "
satishrw
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Location: India

Words: epistemology and serendipity Sun Nov 19, 2006 22:50 pm  Words: epistemology and serendipity
 

Most people don't come across epistemology anywhere but in philosophy class. It comes from a Greek word meaning knowledge, which comes from another Greek word meaning "to know how to do".

Serendipity is in more common usage, but some people avoid the word, because it sounds too cute. As for its etymology, the Oxford American Dictionary says this:

Quote:
ORIGIN 1754: coined by Horace Walpole, suggested by The Three Princes of Serendip, the title of a fairy tale in which the heroes “were always making discoveries, by accidents and sagacity, of things they were not in quest of.”
Jamie (K)
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Words: epistemology and serendipity Mon Nov 20, 2006 17:25 pm  Words: epistemology and serendipity
 

Thank you Sir, for your time.

Hope to see more discussion on these, if others decide to join in !

Regards,
Satish.
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satishrw
I'm new here and I like it ;-)


Joined: 27 Jan 2006
Posts: 10
Location: India

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