Epistemological Analysis: Comparison Between Positivism and Phenomenological Approaches

Abstract

Epistemology, which refers to ways of understanding and interpreting knowledge, originates from the philosophical need to interpret complex sociocultural events. Current advances in epistemology reflect significant developments in thought in academic and research fields, especially in social and cultural sciences. Various epistemological schools have developed, including positivism, materialism, structuralism, hermeneutics, and phenomenology, which variously view the construction of knowledge and social reality. Epistemology, although not always explicitly addressed in research, is inherently present in any process of scientific inquiry. It is important for scientists and researchers to understand the epistemology that underlies their research, because this has major implications for the way they view and understand the socio-cultural phenomena they study. Knowledge of applied epistemology not only increases the depth of research, but also strengthens the methodological basis used. This article aims to explore the evolution and shifts in social science epistemology, highlighting two main types of epistemology that continue to develop. A comparative approach is used in this article to understand both types of epistemology in more depth, by identifying similarities and differences between them. Positivism, as one of the most commonly used epistemologies in socio-cultural research, emphasizes the use of scientific methods and an emphasis on empirical facts that can be observed and measured. On the other hand, phenomenology, as a response to positivism, highlights subjective experiences and meaning contained in social reality, and criticizes positivistic approaches that are too focused on objectivity and generalization. The comparison between positivism and phenomenology opens up an in-depth discussion about how both epistemologies view knowledge, reality, and their way of understanding the social world. While positivism emphasizes objectivity and generalization, phenomenology highlights the subjectivity and uniqueness of individual experiences. Through this comparison, we can gain a better understanding of the diversity of epistemological approaches in sociocultural sciences, as well as their implications for our research and understanding of this complex world.