Ankoran Epistemology

Ankoran Epistemology is a branch of Ankoran Philosophy that explains what knowledge is, it's value, and how knowledge comes to being in a way acceptable to the Ankoran religious canon. It was developed by Orthodox Ankoran Oracle Durnhelm Runehammer in order to mesh traditional Khrumazi rationalist thinking with the Ankoran faith in a way that would explain the Ankora's creation in all things rational and irrational, leading to how knowledge is a direct result of their creation. This occurred after the Great Voyage as part of a direct response to some native Dwarves to persuade them to convert peacefully. Most converted as a result of an extensive persuasion campaign that included Ankoran Epistemology, which helped ground the faith in reality to the native Dwarves of the region. 
== Foundations ==
=== Of Faith, Knowledge, and Reason ===
Knowledge stands as a byproduct of creation. The Ankora wove the tapestry of the world and all life, and dictated the laws of reality and the information it possessed. It is through this understanding that faith and knowledge must be considered in communion in order to completely understand the existence of reasoning and information, and to seek either faith, knowledge, or both is an innate desire in all beings. Reasoning is therefore grounded in faith and knowledge, and is a necessary and vital part of our world.
==== Faith ====
Faith is a direct method of honoring the Nine Gods, the Ancestors, and the Valiant Dead. Through loyalty, adhering their teachings, and worship, one directly acknowledges their supreme power. To be faithful is to accept the world as the Nine have created it, and therefore puts you in a position to seek further knowledge by acknowledging the fundamental truth of reality. Through faith, Dwarves may gain divine revelation (or knowledge) to further progress and greatness for all Ankorans. By demonstrating one's faith to the divine order and embodying the virtues and principles of the Ankora one cultivates humility, curiosity, open-mindedness, and a ethical boundary for one to follow before pursuing further knowledge.
==== Knowledge ====
Knowledge-seeking is an active undertaking better understand the intricate world the Nine have gifted us. Scholarly pursuit reflects the innate desire all Ankorans posess to comprehend the mysteries of the Nine's work, as each discovery made is yet another window in the house of knowledge into their divine intellect. It is an act of faithfulness to seek knowledge as it brings one closer to the Ankora's creation, as it is our duty to understand the world and it's functions that the Ankora gifted to us. (WIP)
=== Imbued Knowledge and Rational Knowledge ===
Knowledge is separated into two categories: knowledge that is imbued and knowledge that is found rational. Imbued Knowledge is given naturally by the Ankora into the bodies of us mortals, while Rational Knowledge must be sought after and worked towards. Imbued Knowledge comes in the form of innate wisdom, such as survival instincts, or through visions and prophecy, which is imbued into mortals directly by the Ankora.
==== Imbued Knowledge ====
Imbued Knowledge is knowledge gifted to us by the Nine as tools to work towards perfection of the mind and soul, and so that we may have a basis to create the foundations of our society. Consider Imbued Knowledge as the natural, fundamental resources within the minds of mortals to flourish and grow basic civilizations. This innate well of information that lays within the subconscious of our mind grants us a moral compass, so that we may determine right from wrong as the Ankora rightfully dictates. Though the conceptualization of these moral rules may need to be taught properly through faith (as to clearly define the correct moral boundaries the divine have set for us), Imbued Knowledge grants the framework for these moral lessons to be taught.
==== Rational Knowledge ====
Contrary to Imbued Knowledge, Rational Knowledge is knowledge found throughout the world and it's processes that must be discovered. This discovery brings us closer to the Ankora by appreciating and understanding the world and it's laws that they created for us. By obtaining, refining, and spreading this information into useful processes, we can better serve the Nine and those around us. The mastery of crafts, smithing, WIP 
=== The Ontology of Knowledge ===
Knowledge is a reflection of the divine truth that the Ankora created all things. It’s existence is imbedded in every aspect of reality, and all knowledge ultimately flows from the Nine Gods. This knowledge is (as stated previously) either an aspect of minds or as something to be discovered. Although knowledge was created by the divine, knowledge can be tampered with or obscured, but the Ankora entrust Ankorans to find and to seek the real truth to demonstrate our ability and our faith. WIP
== The Methods of Knowledge's Arisal ==
=== Revelation ===
Although the rarest way of gaining knowledge, those who have spent immense amounts of time attuning to and worshipping the Nine (or who have been chosen by them) may receive visions, whispers, and prophecies of things that have come, are occurring, or will occur. These messages are mostly unclear, as the Ankora’s messages come from a realm far beyond our own, but they reveal significant information nonetheless. This is a direct path for the Ankora to pass information down to us that will prove vital in our efforts upon Etta. The Ancestors might also answer the prayers of an Ankoran seeking their wisdom, and provide the answers they seek within dreams or states of unconsciousness, though their messages are more specific and direct than the Nine Gods, they are for significantly less important matters.
=== Observation, Inquiry, and Reasoning ===
Observation acts as the basis for reasoning, as understanding the world around us allows us to create judgements based off what has been observed. All knowledge begins with observation, as all observations offer glimpses of the world and it's laws. Once observed, these observations must be questioned and dissected and then reconstructed in order to prove their factuality. The rules of reality, as found through observation, grant the framework upon which inquiry is conducted and reasoning is made. By engaging in systematic reasoning, one can interpret the physical and metaphysical elements of their existence, though divine elements are left to faith to determine. One can then piece together truths from what has already been established to obtain knowledge. WIP
== The Merit of Information and Faith ==
=== Perfection of the Soul ===
Knowledge and faith are tools for the betterment of oneself, being able to guide mortals on the path to virtue. Faith allows one to gain the founding morals and essential tools to be a happy and virtuous person, as the Nine dictated. By utilizing the knowledge given to them, the individual can improve their character and align their life with the divine will of the Ankora. These individuals can better embody the Fourth Tenet of the Ankora: bravery, loyalty, charity, hardiness, and industry. With superior knowledge, one can better adhere to these virtues by improving oneself to serve the Nine.
=== A Tool of Necessity ===
Knowledge is not sought for vanity or to be objectified, as all knowledge serves a purpose to the Nine and to society. The more effectively knowledge is used (for example, an innovation making water flow more efficient being spread throughout Ankoran Realms) the more effectively can faithful Kin be strengthened. By strengthening the faithful, one strengthens the Nine and the Ancestors. In this way, knowledge becomes an obligation to use and spread, as that efficient use of knowledge honors the Nine. 
=== Betterment and Legacy ===
Information stored and recorded will not only benefit the generation of the present, but hundreds of generations of the future. This will ensure that future generations are better equipped and well-informed to advance their societies. Each generation will build upon the last if information is properly recorded, and this collective knowledge will become a foundation for enduring progress, strengthening the whole's connection to the Ankora and their shared purpose.
== The Birth of Knowledge ==
WIP
=== The Chosen Reality ===
WIP
=== Of Refinement and Testing ===
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== Barriers to Enlightenment (WIP) ==
WIP
=== Misinterpretation of the Divine ===
errors in understanding (texts, runes, visions) can cloud the comprehension of information, and thus may misguide some.
=== Corruption of Intent ===
Pursuit of knowledge must stem from neutral intent, as one who has already made an opinion on a subject before researching is closed-minded, and not open to new ideas.
scholars who already seek an outcome when exploring knowledge have already made their conclusion as to what the information means, and as such do not have an open mind to come to proper conclusions. pursuit of knowledge for selfish reasons will lead to no good and must be instead pursued to virtuous ends (to better the ankora / the church / dwarven society). (this might contradict since ankorans follow the faith strongly)
=== The Limitations of the Mortal ===
Dwarves, like humans, are mortal, and are bound within the bodies the Ankora gifted to us. Though we are their Chosen People, we are not superior to the Gods and as such are unable to access all information (as some knowledge must be revealed by the Nine). Faith is our anchor and our guide to explain that which is beyond comprehension for mortals, as that is the only solution. We have been designed by the Ankora to serve and strive for the Ankora alone, and to bring the world into their light, not to supersede the Ankora and their divine authority. However, it is important to distinguish between things created using magic and divine power versus mere misunderstandings in normal things. Not all mysteries are divine in nature (but all mysteries are divine in origin, as all things were made by the divine), as they can be solved logically using Ankora's rules of reality we have discovered within world. Such acts, such as the creation of all things, are beyond mortal mastery and are explained through faith. These limitations are purposeful, as we have been passed down a duty since the end of the Great Dwarven Imperium of ages past. We are stewards, our place in the grand design is understanding and defending the world from the Great Deceiver and non-believers, as the Ankora commanded us.
Category:Dwarves
Category:Philosophy