What term describes the theory of knowledge and its justification?

The term that describes the theory of knowledge and its justification is epistemology. This branch of philosophy explores the nature, scope, and limits of knowledge, addressing questions about what knowledge is, how it is acquired, and how one can differentiate between true knowledge and belief. Epistemology investigates the foundations of knowledge, including the sources and validation of knowledge claims, making it central to understanding how knowledge is structured and justified.

Other options, while related to the broader field of philosophy, have specific focuses that distinguish them from epistemology. Rationalism is a theory that emphasizes reason as the primary source of knowledge, often in contrast to empirical evidence. Empiricism, on the other hand, argues that knowledge comes primarily from sensory experience. Inductive reasoning is a logical process used to formulate generalizations based on specific observations, which is a method utilized within the broader framework of knowledge but does not encapsulate the full theory of knowledge itself.