Epistemological Social Sciences

The study of how groups of people collectively acquire, validate, and transmit knowledge, examining everything from scientific communities to conspiracy theory forums. It asks why some knowledge spreads and other knowledge dies, how communities establish trust in sources, and why your aunt believes Facebook posts more than peer-reviewed studies. Epistemological social sciences reveal that knowledge is not just a collection of facts but a social process, shaped by trust, identity, and whether the information confirms what the group already wants to believe.

Example: "An epistemological social sciences study compared how scientists and flat-Earthers validate claims. Scientists used peer review, replication, and evidence. Flat-Earthers used YouTube comments, feelings, and the conviction that everyone else is lying. Both groups considered themselves epistemologically rigorous. Only one group had satellites."

Epistemological Social Sciences by Abzugal February 14, 2026