Theory of Epistemological Transparency

A philosophical framework holding that the grounds of knowledge claims should be made explicit and open to scrutiny. It opposes appeals to hidden intuition, unspoken authority, or privileged access. The theory demands that any knowledge claim be accompanied by a clear account of how it was justified, what evidence supports it, and what assumptions it rests on. In practice, it encourages reflexivity—knowers must reveal their epistemic positions, not hide behind “objectivity.”

Example: “Her theory of epistemological transparency required that in cross‑cultural research, she explicitly state her own cultural framework, so readers could see how it shaped her interpretation.”

by Abzugal Nammugal Enkigal March 24, 2026