A Critical Evaluation on the Epistemological Externalist Ground of Scientism in the Context of Epistemic Concern
Scientism is a philosophical approach that asserts that the scientific method is the only way to acquire knowledge. Since the scientific method only assumes material reality, scientism is inherently a materialistic and naturalistic philosophy that rejects metaphysics and a priori knowledge. In epist...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | deu |
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Istanbul University Press
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Felsefe Arkivi |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://cdn.istanbul.edu.tr/file/JTA6CLJ8T5/B3601DE9E30745F68C6BC12659D2F859 |
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| Summary: | Scientism is a philosophical approach that asserts that the scientific method is the only way to acquire knowledge. Since the scientific method only assumes material reality, scientism is inherently a materialistic and naturalistic philosophy that rejects metaphysics and a priori knowledge. In epistemological naturalism, norms are rejected because they are not empirical and a psychological description of belief formation is deemed sufficient. The term ‘epistemic concern’, which reflects doubts about whether the foundations of belief formation are sufficiently appropriate, has driven proponents of scientism to search for a concrete ground for knowledge. In the relationship between reality and knowledge, reliability and objectivity emerge as critical components linked to this foundational ground. Advocates of scientism argue that introducing meta-standards for justification in internalist approaches is not appropriate for knowledge. Consequently, advocates of scientism like externalists who do not find the subject’s access to cognitive elements necessary for knowledge adopt an epistemological attitude in which the empirical method is considered sufficient. However, within externalism, issues such as norms, metaphysical judgements and a priori propositions become prominent. The limitations of scientism, which confines standards of knowledge to empirical method, are evident in its failure to avoid normativity, its reliance on metaphysical assumptions and its use of a priori propositions based on the principles of non-contradiction. These restrictions show that there are obstacles to studying the concrete grounds of externalist epistemology. Therefore, the epistemic concern cannot be resolved through scientistic attitude, indicating that attempts to scientize philosophy, particularly epistemology, are ultimately unsuccessful. |
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| ISSN: | 2667-7644 |