Year: 2012
Type: article
Abstract: Even though know ledge in general and scientific know ledge in particular strives in one way or another for independence from individual influences there can be no doubt that this objective is unachievable. In the light of this fundamental unattainability of cognitive purity there are certain social norms within science. The norm to abstract from personal characteristics and to make strictly fair comments stands out among others. As it is always the case with norms, they are counterfactual. Yet the magnitude of the counterfactuality within human geography seems to be remarkable and calls for explanation. The paper argues that personal assessments appear so easy because of the lack of a disciplinary theory that might steer or orient the systematic construction of scientific knowledge within the discipline.
DOI: 10.5167/uzh-74420
Author: Goeke, Pascal
Institution: University of Zurich
Language: German
Subfield: Geography, Planning and Development
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W3139065778