The Russian project of social epistemology: critical considerations

Abstract

ntroduction and purpose. The paper is a reaction to the article previously published in this journal by A. M. Orekhov, which examines the state of affairs in Russian social epistemology. The author provides responses to critical comments and proposes clari- fication of the facts and theories discussed. Methods. The author of the article uses the meth- od of conceptual analysis and historical narrative. Scientific novelty of the study. It is shown in a new way how Russian social epistemology fits into the world philosophical context; its conceptual and methodological status is clarified, the details of its formation and development over the past thirty years are revealed. Its features are indicated, mak- ing it possible to rank it as a non-classical episte- mology. Results. The author proposes arguments against a critical assessment of the current state of Russian social epistemology in terms of its dependence on Western influences. It is argued that Russian phi- losophy cannot and should not completely get rid of dependencies, since it borders on isolationism. A critical assessment of the KHM style is given, which has been proposed by A. M. Orekhov as a perspective of social epistemology.