Genetic Epistemology, a Universalist Approach to the History of Science
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 12955016 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Mark A Winstanley (0000-0003-0036-1060, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2016 |
| Volume | 10 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 249-278 |
| Publication date | 2016-04-28 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of the Philosophy of History (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1872-261X • E-ISSN: 1872-2636 |
| Publisher | Brill (PUBLISHER • NL) |
| DOI | 10.1163/18722636-12341327 |
| OpenAlex | W2342416788 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 13 |
GER Lloyd discerns two conflicting hypotheses concerning human cognition: cross-cultural universality and cultural relativity. The history of science is one discipline among many actively contributing to our understanding of human cognition at present. Not surprisingly, then, the dichotomy is also present in the history of science. In contrast to current approaches to the history of science, which highlight cultural relativity, genetic epistemology, which is conceived by Jean Piaget as a science of the acquisition of knowledge, emphasises cross-cultural universality. Using the multidimensionality of phenomena and different styles of inquiry, I will argue that there is no inherent contradiction in the different approaches to the history of science. However, the amicable co-existence of both approaches has been undermined by Peter Damerow, who criticised the applicability of genetic epistemology to the historical development of knowledge on historical and theoretical grounds. In this paper, I will review Damerow’s theoretical critique, and, in formulating a response, I will argue that genetic epistemology cannot be dismissed as one of many legitimate styles of inquiry into the history of science on the basis of this critique
Contradiction · Cultural relativism · Epistemology · Epistemology of Wikipedia · Evolutionary epistemology · Genetic epistemology · History of science · Social epistemology · Sociology · Universality (dynamical systems · Evolution and Science Education · Language and cultural evolution · Law · Philosophy · Philosophy and History of Science
| Unique citing works | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 1 |
| Citation span | 2026 - 2026 (1) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 1 |