Epistemological Approach Research Articles

An Unfortunate Refutation: Ibn Taymīyah on the Priority of Reason over Revelation

Ibn Taymīyah singled out his long refutation against an Ash‘arite theologian Fakhr al-Dīn al-Rāzī on ta’wīl in his Dar’ Ta‘āruḍ al-‘Aql wa al-Naql. The main contention between the two is whether rational evidence should take precedence over scriptural evidence when interpreting passages in the Qur’an. When dealing with the difficult passages that could lead to anthropomorphism, the Ash‘arite employ allegorical interpretation, or ta’wīl, thereby priority is given to reason. It is with this problem in mind that Ibn Taymīyah launched his sustained critique towards al-Rāzī. However, upon further consideration, Ibn Taymīyah’s criticism of al-Rāzī appears to overlook the broader framework that the latter brought to the discussion, particularly regarding the reciprocal relationship between reason and revelation in his theory of inference and its origins in earlier Asharīte’s epistemology. This article aims to discuss the debates between the two scholars by putting their main contention in the context. Firstly, the article will provide an analysis on al-Rāzī’s methodological and epistemological approach to resolving the problem of the relationship between reason and revelation. The folllowing section will exemine how Ibn Taymīyah responded to al-Rāzī, and the criticism he leveled against him. The final section will assess the debates, evaluating the extent to which Ibn Taymīyah succeeded in refuting al-Rāzī and identifying any misunderstandings he may have had regarding al-Rāzī’s arguments.

HARMONISASI PENGETAHUAN

This research aims to comprehend the roles of Islam and philosophy in the development of scientific knowledge. Islam and philosophy play significant roles in shaping worldviews, values, and epistemological approaches that underpin the development of scientific knowledge. The study employs a descriptive-analytical approach to explore the relationships among religion, philosophy, and science. Data is collected through a literature review encompassing relevant primary and secondary sources related to the research topic. Data analysis involves the collection, classification, and interpretation of pertinent information. The findings indicate that Islam exerts a strong influence on the development of scientific knowledge through moral perspectives, ethics, and views on the universe. Islam often provides a value framework that shapes the motivation and goals of research, influencing ethical decisions in scientific practices. On the other hand, philosophy also plays a crucial role in the development of scientific knowledge through studies of epistemology, logic, and research methods. Philosophy provides a theoretical and conceptual foundation supporting understanding, reasoning, and critical reflection in scientific practice. The interconnectedness of Islam, philosophy, and science reflects a dialogue and interaction between religious beliefs, rational philosophy, and empirical understanding. The integration of these aspects allows for the holistic development of scientific knowledge, combining spiritual, intellectual, and empirical aspects in the understanding and explanation of natural phenomena.

Опыт истолкования соотношения созерцания и преобразования в учении И. Канта

The author of this article sees the research problem in the fact that I. Kant in his ontological substantiation of the theory of knowledge shifted from the concept of contemplation to the concept of transformation, considering transformation to be the main factor that determines the method of cognition and constructs the object of knowledge. Kant – the founder of classical German Philosophy – uses the terms contemplation and transformation in an epistemological sense, taking into account a certain ideological foundation laid by the cultural and historical conditions of the epoch that were reflected in his teaching. At that time, the idea of the subject’s dominance, that was ruling the worldview of the new European man, was being established in culture. According to Kant, humans are beings whose normal state is that which corresponds to their consciousness. This state must be created by a person him/herself. Kant is talking about a world in which the phenomena of nature are transformed by humans. From that moment on, history began to move faster than the natural environment. The centre of a new, accelerated (compared with natural processes) development started to take shape, which allowed humans to escape from the influence of purely natural processes while remaining in the same space with them. Nature handed activity to humans. According to B.F. Porshnev, an updated periodization of a historical process, if it is objective and captures the process’s own rhythm, turns out to be acceleration. This was the context in which Kant’s epistemological approach originated. The assertion of the subject’s dominance transported thinkers to an ontologically new world, ruled not by the naked necessity of nature, condemning humans to a contemplative position that was criticized by K. Marx in his first thesis on Feuerbach, but by necessity linked with consciousness. This necessity is established by consciousness and becomes a conscious necessity, redefined by Kant and by a person him/herself.

Исторические подходы к исследованию лжи и их трансформация в культуре

The article analyzes the process of understanding the concept of lies in the history of culture. The relevance of the problem is due to the obvious transformation of the content of the concept over time, changes in the semantic volume and status of lies in different fields of knowledge. Based on the analysis of historical and philosophical material and modern domestic literature, historically formed approaches to the interpretation of the concept of lie are identified. Such approaches include religious, ontological, epistemological, ethical, axiological, instrumental, cultural and psychological approaches to the interpretation of lies. In the religious approach, God is the absolute truth; lies come from the devil and are a phenomenon of the lower world. In the ontological approach, lies are presented as a phenomenon in the world of things. In the epistemological approach, lying is not associated with a person; denotes the discrepancy between knowledge and reality and is a hypostasis of truth. The ethical approach connects truth with duty, and lies with violation of people’s rights and internal moral imperative (Kant). In cultural, axiological and instrumental approaches, lies are interpreted as a utilitarian value that ensures the realization of communicative needs and the achievement of cultural goals. The psychological approach associates lies with interpersonal communication between people and the volitional action of a person. The historical conditionality and interrelation of the selected approaches is shown. By tracing the evolution of approaches to studying lying, from religious condemnation to psychological inquiry, the article contributes to a deeper understanding of human behavior and societal norms.

CONSTRUCTIVIST EPISTEMOLOGY IN SCIENCE LEARNING FOR ḤALĀLAN-ṬAYYIBAN FOOD SUBJECT

In the era of globalization, a deep understanding of the ḥalālan ṭayyiban food concept is becoming increasingly important. How we, especially the nation’s young generation, must understand, internalize, and apply these principles in our daily lives is an increasingly urgent challenge. Learning the concepts of ḥalāl food and thayyib is no longer just a matter of factual knowledge, but is also a deep ethical and religious responsibility. This article aims to prove and evaluate a relevant and innovative learning approach to be applied in schools in re-conceptualizing the subject of ḥalālan ṭayyiban food in science subjects. The method used in the research was the pre-experiment method with a sample of 37 students in grades 4, 5, and 6 at The Mother Foundation Elementary School, who were selected randomly. Data collection was carried out using a quantitative and qualitative approach (mixed method) which was then analyzed descriptively using an epistemological philosophy of science perspective. Data obtained was taken using interview instruments and concept understanding tests. The results of this research show that the constructivist epistemological approach can increase students' conceptual understanding of the subject of ḥalālan ṭayyiban food with the gain calculation being in the high category. This proves that the constructivist epistemological approach can provide meaningful learning that directs students to explore their thinking in more depth.

Management of refractory disease and persistent symptoms in inflammatory arthritis: qualitative framework analysis of interviews with patients and healthcare professionals.

This study aims to explore patients' and clinicians' experiences in managing and living with refractory disease (RD) and persistent physical and emotional symptoms (PPES) in patients with RA or polyarticular JIA from their perspectives through interviews and/or focus groups. A qualitative exploration with 25 patients and 32 multidisciplinary rheumatology healthcare professionals (HCPs) was conducted to obtain participants respective understanding and experiences of managing RD/PPES and its impact on the patient-professional relationship. A pragmatic epistemology approach with framework analysis was employed. Four key themes were identified from both patients and professionals in the management of RD/PPES: risk/perpetuating factors/triggers; need for a patient-centred holistic approach to care, diagnosis and treatment; discordance and impact on the patient-practitioner relationship and current problems in managing RD/PPES. These themes covered 22 subthemes, with none being patient specific and seven being HCP specific. Suggestions for potential management strategies were highlighted throughout, such as involving other specialties or a multidisciplinary team, assessing/treating patient-reported outcome measures and psychosocial factors, patient (re)education, need for adjustments/aids or adaptations, checking the diagnosis and further investigations/imaging and optimizing medications. Management strategies need to be developed that enable appropriate treatment plans for those with RD/PPES that account for wider biopsychosocial factors beyond inflammation and reduce discordance in the patient-practitioner relationship.

Nursing science put to the epistemological test

Today, we are witnessing the emergence of a nursing discipline that is clearly seeking to base its legitimacy primarily on science. However, only an epistemological approach can assure us of the relevance of such an approach. While the nursing discipline must unquestionably be based on a rational, scientific approach, can we not nevertheless assume that an irreducible element of mystery will forever remain at the heart of care?

Идеята за допълнителност в научното познание като стил на мислене

The principle of complementarity, raised by Niels Bohr as a kernel of the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum theory, as well as the principle of equivalence of space geometries, raised by Hans Reichenbach, are critically discussed as epistemological approaches at achieving theoretical representations of complex objects of research, which stay far from the ordinary human experience. Both principles share a congenial style of thinking. I also point to theoretical ways that lead out of the grip of these principles.

Complicated shadows: a discussion of positionality within educational research

ABSTRACT This paper comprises a Socratic dialogue that explores the mix of advocacy, acceptance, apathy, confusion, and criticality often presented by new educational researchers as they encounter and navigate positionality in the first stages of their research projects. The fictionalised ancient form allows a vehicle to explore common debates and discussions with new researchers as they seek to accommodate to the demands of reflexivity. Concluding with an epilogue the author suggests the importance of forging a place for new educational researchers to thoughtfully engage with positionality, in the hope of avoiding the institutional petrification of such a vital methodological and epistemological approach.

“Who raised you?”: Black women’s indispensable conceptualizations of mothering for theorizing and researching DisCrit

Traditionally, the academic field of special education has resisted critical perspectives. Despite their advanced skills, epistemological approaches, and ways of knowing, special education scholars enacting qualitative inquiry have often described inadequate support from their academic community. In a parallel manner, Black mothering in historical and contemporary spaces, especially in mothering disabled children, has often been dismissed for its valued expertise. This essay is a methodological, theoretical, spiritual, epistemological, and deeply philosophical intervention on the roles of Black mothers in all spaces who grapple with the tensions in the field of special education. The authors build upon Black Feminist epistemology and use Disability Critical Theory as a framework, documenting the journeys of two Black women mother and scholars through duoethnographic storytelling. Realizing that people who are mothering have their own agency and choose what they want to build with the nurturing Black mothers offer, we center multidisciplinary dialogues that lead to deeper understandings of qualitative research methods. Through these exemplars, we highlight how mothering and othermothering, whether through birth, ancestral, or academic kinships, are used to advance ways of knowing about how to best support disabled youth whose futures are pervasively threatened.

Mixed-methods impact evaluation in international development practice: distinguishing between quant-led and qual-led models

ABSTRACT Despite being widely endorsed for more than two decades, the practice of mixed-methods impact evaluation (MMIE) remains confusing. This paper suggests that greater clarity can be achieved by distinguishing between quant-led and qual-led models of MMIE. The quant-led model gives most weight to variance-based epistemological approaches to causal attribution but can also incorporate process-theory approaches. The qual-led model relies mainly on a process-theory approach but incorporates quantitative data collection and analysis. After setting out the context, the paper sets out these conceptual distinctions. It then presents an illustrative case study of how the Qualitative Impact Protocol (QuIP) has been utilised within the two models. Third, the paper explores divergent support for the two models. We conclude with reflections on how wider recognition of the distinction between them can improve evaluative practice by deepening our understanding of multiple options for the integration of qualitative and quantitative aspects of impact evaluation. While mainly intended to be of practical relevance to those planning, conducting, and reviewing MMIEs, the paper is also relevant to wider concerns over the political economy of knowledge production and distribution.

Epistemic ownership and the practical/epistemic parallelism

We may succed in the fulfilment of our desires but still fail to properly own our practical life, perhaps because we acted as addicts, driven by desires that are alien to our will, or as “wantons,” satisfying the desires that we simply happen to have (Frankfurt, 1988). May we equally fail to own the outcomes of our epistemic life? If so, how may we attain epistemic ownership over it? This paper explores the structural parallellism between practical and epistemic rationality, building on Williamson’s (2002) suggestion that we should commence with successful performances as the foundation for both domains, be it action or knowledge. By highlighting the limitations of higher-order regulative approaches in epistemology, exemplified by Sosa (2007, 2011, 2015, 2021), the paper introduces a form of teleological epistemic constitutivism inspired by Velleman (2000, 2009). The proposal is that epistemic ownership is not attained in the mere pursuit of truth or knowledge, but requires furthermore a struggle to understand what we know.

Corpus linguistics and the social sciences

Abstract Corpus linguistics, with its methodological orientation towards the empirical analysis of language based on large text collections, has the potential to offer significant tools for addressing real-world problems across various social science domains, including climate change, criminology, healthcare and policy making. Despite this potential, the integration of corpus linguistics into social science disciplines (beyond linguistics) remains hampered by fundamental differences in epistemology, definitions and methodological approaches. This article explores the relationship between corpus linguistics and the social sciences. It is argued that epistemology, or the theory of knowledge, represents a primary barrier to integration, with much corpus linguistics research aligning with positivist and naturalist epistemologies. By contrast, many social science disciplines embrace more interpretive, conventionalist approaches that account for the dynamic nature of social phenomena. Considering the role of naturalism and conventionalism within both corpus linguistics and the social sciences, this article illustrates how these epistemological stances are likely to influence the acceptance and use of corpus methods in social science research. Despite the challenges, areas of convergence (e.g. shared use of data processing tools and the acknowledgement of the central role of language in social processes) provide opportunities for cross-disciplinary collaboration. As means to bridge the epistemological divide, this article advocates for a critical realist approach and concludes by calling on users of corpus linguistic methods to be reflexive and transparent about their epistemological stances when reporting their research.

“That is when I understood everything”: Ideological trajectories of pro-choice female doctors in Mexico

ObjectivesThere is little global evidence about how physicians become abortion clinicians or advocates. We describe the ideological trajectories of self-identified pro-choice female Mexican doctors and the factors that made them become pro-choice. Study DesignIn this qualitative study we conducted semi-structured interviews with members of the Mexican Network of Female Pro-choice Physicians (Red de Médicas por el Derecho a Decidir - México). Participants came from 8 diverse states in Mexico. We used a feminist epistemology approach and analyzed data using inductive coding as well as a priori categories (becoming pro-choice, trajectories, and training). ResultsWe included 24 female pro-choice physicians. We identified five intersecting factors that influenced becoming pro-choice: feminism, personal experiences, confrontation with the inequalities and violence that women experience, role models, and routine exposure to abortion care. Participants described three ideological trajectories: being pro-choice before studying medicine, not having a specific opinion, and changing from “pro-life” to “pro-choice”. Participants described an absence of abortion training in medical schools or stigmatizing training, and the use of alternative training sources. ConclusionIn the absence of training on abortion during the medical education, a combination of intersecting personal as well as work-related experience may turn doctors in to pro-choice abortion clinicians and/or advocates. Training on abortion care in medical education and stigma reduction in Mexican society is essential. The findings of this study may be used to develop comprehensive medical curricula as well as strategies directed at doctors in who have never received training on abortion care, such as promoting interactions between doctors and non-medical abortion providers, education on inequalities and violence against women, moving beyond a public health to a human rights and gender perspective, and exposure to routine safe abortion care. ImplicationsMexican female doctors become pro-choice clinicians who provide abortion care and/or advocates in spite of their medical education.

A Multimethodological Approach to Assist the Design of Systemic Governance in Agroextractivist Settlement Projects in the Brazilian Amazon Landscape.

Coping with complex landscape situations in the Anthropocene increasingly demands innovative governance practices that can be facilitated by investment in new epistemological and methodological approaches and capacities. This paper explores the use of a multimethodological research approach organized as a systemic co-inquiry to assist in the design of systemic governance for Agroextractivist Settlement Projects (PAEs) in the municipality of Abaetetuba, Pará, in the Brazilian Amazon. In the PAEs, the systemic co-inquiry was conducted alongside interested and influential stakeholders through the combined use of the Soft Systems Methodology and Strategic Options Development and Analysis problem structuring methods. The use of these methods and their tools allowed stakeholders to articulate major issues around the situation of concern, engaging in reflective practices about the opportunities of governing the PAEs systemically. By valuing stakeholder perspectives and participation in all phases of the research, the proposed multimethodology approach helped them express their views on the problem situation and allowed for their active engagement in the design of systemic governance of the PAEs. As a result of adopting a multimethodological approach, distinctive albeit coupled realms of governing are explored, a key issue when designing systemic governance practices of social-ecological systems such as the PAEs.

Theories of market selection

AbstractWe provide a survey of the main mechanisms of market selection used in economics. We categorize existing theories into three broad classes—evolutionary selection, reduced form selection, and rational equilibrium—based on their adopted selection mechanisms. Each paradigm is explored in terms of underlying laws of selection, searching for elements of convergence and divergence in epistemological approaches, hypotheses, and results. The comparison of these paradigms reveals convergences in research directions, particularly in replicating empirical patterns related to firm heterogeneity and acknowledging the role of increasing returns. However, these paradigms diverge in key assumptions and results, including emphasis on model outcomes, sources of increasing returns, mechanisms generating firm heterogeneity, and assumptions regarding firm rationality. The discussion highlights that these differences stem from the epistemological foundations of paradigms. The survey contributes to a nuanced understanding of market selection mechanisms within diverse theoretical frameworks, emphasizing both areas of convergence and divergence among them.

An Epistemological Approach to The Translation of Tenses and Aspects in English-French and French-English Contexts

This paper delves into the complexities of translating tenses and aspects, particularly in English-French and French-English contexts, advocating for an epistemological approach that entails a meticulous examination of source language (SL) tense and aspectual elements, as well as considerations of situational context, textual nature (e.g., direct speech, narrative, retrospection, anticipation) and pragmatics. The concept of tense inherently encompasses aspect, which delineates the structure of actions conveyed by verbs. Aspect may denote completeness or incompleteness, iteration or punctuality, semelfactivity, telicity, atelicity, frequency, and permanence, among other qualities. Employing a qualitative method, this paper first outlines the theoretical underpinnings of the notions discussed, followed by concrete examples. The study reveals that tense, originally derived from the concept of time, is intricately linked with aspect and action. Aspect, moreover, extends beyond linguistic realms to encompass philosophical (e.g., Aristotelian aspect) and metalinguistic dimensions. A cross-linguistic examination of tense and aspect unveils multifaceted relationships encompassing lexical, philosophical, semantic, syntactic, pragmatic, and strategic dimensions, necessitating further elucidation.

The ethics of care and the professional identity of teachers: implications for professionalization processes

ABSTRACT This work reviews the approach of the ethics of care in education and analyzes how the foundations of this ethicality contribute to the dialogical construction of teachers’ professional identity (attribution, projection, development and transformation). Professional identity is questioned when care is considered an epistemological and ethical approach to educational relationships, thereby encouraging reflection on the interactive components of identity (projection, disposition, worldview and action plans) and on the meaning of professional competence. This reflection produces transversal implications for teacher professionalization processes, which in turn results in the identification of training devices such as narratives, conversations and reflective and operational practices that help to turn the identity and the moral work of teaching into the central topic.

Ngajeng Wong Kalang yard, in harmony with nature: Ethnographic approach in Kalang Village, Lumansari Village, Gemuh District, Kendal Regency - Central Java

Pekarangan ngajeng (Ngajeng yard) is an open area at the front of the residence. Ngajeng yards are formed based on the division of residential land. The formation of the Ngajeng yard is based on tradition. The Ngajeng yard's use is determined by social, religious, traditional, and agricultural factors. The ngajeng yard is still preserved by the Kalang village's Javanese sub-ethnic group, the Kalang. The advantage of the ngajeng yard space as a path for the sun's movement is provided by the Limasap house, where the Kalang people reside, being oriented towards the North and South. Specifically, the objective of the ngajeng yard following the direction of the sun's movement will be covered in this research. The methods used are 1) ethnography, describing traditions related to the Ngajeng yard as well as religious aspects and beliefs of the Kalang people; 2) Analysis of the sun's movement in the East to West trajectory. The orientation of the traditional Limasap omah (house) building influences the existence of the ngajeng yard; 3) The next stage is looking for a belief system through ontology, explanation, prediction, axiology, practice, and epistemology approaches. At this stage, a belief system about the Ngajeng yard is obtained. Thus, it can be concluded that the Ngajeng yard is an open space that has various functions for the Kalang people. These functions are 1) Social function, as a communication, mitigation, and security space; 2) The function of tradition, as a space for the obong tradition to lead ancestors to nirvana; 3) Agricultural function, related to tandur (planting) traditions and harvest traditions. The belief system that is formed is a legacy of tradition related to the implementation of the wong (people) Kalang tradition.

B(l)ending research methods: Reimagining a theoretical turn in fashion scholarship

Aiming to disrupt the way fashion studies is developed – often from a Eurocentric approach and within rigid disciplinary, methodological and social boundaries – this Special Issue invites different scholars to present their own way of studying and exploring fashion, but also to make their familiar methods strange, re-assessing what fashion means and what it means to do fashion research in the first place. Promoting an interdisciplinary dialogue, the articles in this Special Issue show how fashion studies would benefit from ‘bending’ existing methodological boundaries and blending cross-disciplinary methodologies, conceptual orientations, objects, ideas, forms, subjects and questions in their epistemological approach. We hope that the curation, organization and general assemblage of the texts give rise to the intellectual alchemy of unpredictable encounters: conversations, clashes and contradictions. From article to article, readers will encounter different ways of doing research on and through fashion and be inspired to imagine more divergent epistemologies of fashion.