Ontology & Epistemology

Define ontology

Ontology in political science is the study of the what exists or is real in the political world such as power, state, or rights.

It shapes how scholars conceptualise political phenomena.

Explain how ontology is linked with Plato’s Cave Metaphor

Plato’s cave metaphor shows why ontology matters to distinguish mere appearances from the deeper truth;

• In the cave he only sees shadows, which represent perceptions and illusions of reality

• The true reality lies outside the cave, analogous to the underlying structures or principles

• We need to go beyond the physical world into the metaphysical to understand what drives everything we know

What are the two ontologies and explain them

Foundationalist ontology

Anti-foundationalist ontology

Explain foundationalist ontology

Foundationalist ontology:

• Also referred to as realism/objectivism

• The nature of reality is real and composed of discreet objectives that are independent of the observer

• Realty can be objectively discovered through rigorous scientific methods

• A focus on fixed, objective realities

  • e.g. If you are left-wing, you will have certain behaviours & characteristics

Explain Anti-foundationalist ontology

Anti-foundationalist ontology:

• Also referred to as relativism/constructivism

• Nature of reality is subjective and dependent on the observer (local & specific)

• Reality is not discovered but constructed by individuals & shaped by social, political, and cultural processes

• Focus on fluid & dynamic realities

  • e.g. interpretation of being ‘left-wing’ differs based on knowledge, perspectives, experiences

Define Epistemology

Epistemology in political science is the study of how knowledge about politics is acquired & justified

It explores the methods, sources, & criteria used to determined what counts as reliable political knowledge

What are the 3 epistemological types

1. Positivist (empirical epistemology)

2. Interpretivist (constructivist epistemology)

3. Normative (reflective epistemology)

Which epistemology (positivist, interpretivist, realist) belongs to which ontology (foundationalist, anti-foundationalist)?

Define positivist epistemology

Positivist epistemology is the belief that knowledge about politics should be obtained objectively using the same methods as the natural sciences.

It assumes that political reality exists independently of the observer and can be studied through empirical observation and measurement.

Foundationalist, empirical

• Feminism?

• Behaviouralism

• Rational choice

What is the critique of positivism?

• It focuses heavily on measurable data, which can ignore qualitative aspects like justice, power, legitimacy.

• It identifies correlations but often fails to explain underlying causes

• Ignores historical & cultural context

• Describes what is, but cant judge what ought to be

  • lacks moral/normative dimension

Define (Critical) Realism epistemology

Critical realism epistemology acknowledges that social and political phenomena exist independently and have causal power, but their effects are not always observable. Our knowledge of them is mediated by individual interpretations (social, cultural, & cognitive factors.)

It bridges the gap between positivism (objective measurement) and interpretivism (subjective understanding).

Foundationalist, quantitative & qualitative (normative & empirical)

• (Neo)Marxism

• Historical institutionalism

• Normative institutionalism

What are the critiques of realism?

• Unobservable structures cannot be tested or falsified

Define interpretivist epistemology

Interpretivist (constructivist epistemology) is the approach that regards the world as socially constructed through human interactions. Social phenomena cannot be understood independent of our interpretation of them.

The double hermeneutic refers to the process where researchers interpret actors’ interpretations (studying the behaviour and the meanings people attach to their actions)

Anti-foundationalist, normative, qualitative

• Constructivism

• Feminist?

What is the critique of interpretivism?

• Validity cant be judged because the approach is based on subjective interactions

• Heavy reliance on researchers interpretation, leading to bias & reduced objectivity

What is the difference between hermeneutic and postmodern interpretivism

• Hermeneutic seeks understandable, coherent meaning, while postmodern interpretivism emphasises plurality, contestation, and the role of power in shaping meaning

What is a deliberative democracy

Also known as a mini public

Getting people from different social groups/demographics together & deliberating about certain problems to present their solutions to the government

Positivist approach:

Identify based on the theory, the main factors that are likely to affect the success of mini publics

Interpretivist approach:

How actors make sense of their participation. how actors interpret the intentions of others a how that influences the problem solving capacity. Seen when policy makers show interest in translating proposals made by mini-publics

(interviews, focus groups)

Placing different theoretical perspectives in ontology & epistemology

Process