The objectivity of local knowledge
lessons from ethnobiology
pp. 4705-4720
Résumé
This article develops an account of local epistemic practices on the basis of case studies from ethnobiology. I argue that current debates about objectivity often stand in the way of a more adequate understanding of local knowledge and ethnobiological practices in general. While local knowledge about the biological world often meets criteria for objectivity in philosophy of science, general debates about the objectivity of local knowledge can also obscure their unique epistemic features. In modification of Ian Hacking’s suggestion to discuss “ground level questions” instead of objectivity, I propose an account that focuses on both epistemic virtues and vices of local epistemic practices.
Détails de la publication
Publié dans:
Colombo Matteo, Gervais Raoul, Sprenger Jan (2017) Objectivity in science. Synthese 194 (12).
Pages: 4705-4720
DOI: 10.1007/s11229-016-1210-1
Citation complète:
Ludwig David, 2017, The objectivity of local knowledge: lessons from ethnobiology. Synthese 194 (12), Objectivity in science, 4705-4720. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11229-016-1210-1.