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Perspectives and meta-perspectives: context versus hierarchy in the epistemology of complex systems

Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: For some post-structuralist complexity theorists, there are no epistemic meta-perspectives from where to judge between different epistemic perspectives toward complex systems. In this paper, I argue that these theorists face a dilemma because they argue against meta-perspectives from just such a meta-perspective. In fact, when we understand two or more different perspectives, we seem to unavoidably adopt a meta-perspective to analyse, compare, and judge between those perspectives. I further argue that meta-perspectives can be evaluated and judged from meta-meta-perspectives, and so on. This suggests an epistemic hierarchy. Perspectives, meta-perspectives, meta-meta-perspectives, etc. can be ranked according to the degree to which they confer understanding. I also explore what scope my thesis might have outside the philosophy of complexity by applying it to the sociology of science.
DOI: 10.1007/s13194-025-00641-9
Language: English
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $2,190
OpenAlex ID: W4408096733
FWCI: 7.049
Cites: 79
Cited by: 2
Related to: 10