Abstract
This chapter provides a conceptual map of scientism: an overview of the varieties of scientism and their relations. It argues that a plausible understanding of scientism is the thesis that the boundaries of natural science should be expanded in order to include academic disciplines or realms of life that are widely considered not to belong to the realm of science. Every participant in the debate on scientism should make clear which variety of scientism she or he adheres to or criticizes by specifying whether she is talking about (a) academic or universal scientism; (b) eliminative, methodological, epistemological, ontological, moral, or existential scientism; (c) full or partial scientism; and (d) in the case of moral and existential scientism: replacement or illusion scientism. The aim of this map is to provide clarity in a debate that is often confused and to help one see what one is committed to in adopting a particular scientistic position.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Scientism |
Subtitle of host publication | Prospects and Problems |
Editors | Jeroen de Ridder, Rik Peels, René van Woudenberg |
Publisher | Oxford University Press |
Chapter | 1 |
Pages | 28-57 |
Number of pages | 21 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9780190462772 |
ISBN (Print) | 9780190462758 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2018 |