Epistemological Orthodoxy

The established set of epistemic norms and assumptions within a community, often taken for granted as simply "how knowledge works." In Western academia, this includes empiricism, logical reasoning, peer review, and a preference for quantitative methods. Epistemological orthodoxy provides stability but can also exclude alternative approaches (e.g., oral traditions, embodied knowledge, participatory research). Recognizing it is the first step to epistemic pluralism.

Example: "Her research used storytelling as data, which violated epistemological orthodoxy—so it was rejected without review."

Epistemological Orthodoxy by Dumu The Void April 18, 2026