epistemic

epistemology

"theory of knowledge," 1856,
coined by Scottish philosopher James F. Ferrier (1808-1864) from Gk. episteme "knowledge,"
from Ionic Gk. epistasthai "know how to do, understand," lit. "overstand,"
from epi "over, near" (see epi-) + histasthai "to stand," from PIE *sta- "to stand" (see stet).

The scientific (as opposed to philosophical) study of the roots and paths of knowledge is epistemics (1969). Related: Epistemological; epistemologically.