Social Epistemology

Abstract

Social epistemology is a branch of philosophy concerned with the study of social practices and social factors. Social epistemologists seek to examine social practices and social factors from an epistemic point of view, as aids or impediments to the pursuit of knowledge. This entry traces the origins of social epistemology to Kuhn and feminist epistemology and describes four types of projects conducted by social epistemologists. It argues that sociological studies of science are an important but still largely neglected resource for those working in social epistemology. But, unlike sociologists, it is argued that social epistemologists are concerned with normative issues. Social epistemologists seek to evaluate norms and practices from an epistemic point of view.