Epistemology- How do we know what we think we know?



Epistemology is another core concept of philosophy which seeks to explain the authorities in which we place our trust while seeking truth. There are many different ways to validate knowledge—God, science, God as science, experience, sensory perceptions, feeling, the self, etc.

Charlie has a tough time validating anything, even his own ravings. I fear after watching the film that this struggle is contagious, as I am scrambling for words here. Donald’s authority is acclaimed Robert McKee. Charlie is clearly irritated with Donald’s obsession with Robert McKee’s and his formulaic, cliché “principles” about writing successful screenplays. My first impression was that Charlie’s definition of success is authentic and comes from within, since he seems to have little interest in the material world and is rather preoccupied with simply being able to communicate something of irrevocable value. However, Charlie’s self-consciousness is so debilitating that he makes nearly no progress in adapting Orlean’s novel until he reaches his deadline and asks for McKee’s advice. At the end of the film, the tables turn. McKee becomes the God-like mentor with all the answers and Donald authenticity is immortalized by his confidence and his quest to remain optimistic in spite of worldly doubt. Alternately, what do we make of Laroche’s wealth of knowledge? One can argue that Laroche knows a lot about a lot of things, but his intense passion proves to be all but lasting, and in Susan’s eyes  is essentially meaningless, since losing his family.

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