Opposing Epistemicide as First Principle
Redeeming Social Epistemology in LIS Education
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21900/j.alise.2022.1065Keywords:
epistemic injustice, epistemicide, social epistemologyAbstract
Social epistemology is a theory of knowledge that recognizes the social dimension of knowledge creation. In the LIS context it also serves as an enduring theory of how and why LIS professionals organize collective knowledge of the world. There is a growing awareness among LIS researchers that epistemic and cognitive injustices, and systematic attempts at epistemicide are widespread. Any theory of social epistemology that is meant to guide LIS practice must take into account the moral dimension of harms caused by allowing epistemic injustices to proliferate in information systems. Pivoting to the idea that opposing epistemicide and other injustices is central to the purpose of the LIS profession warrants a reconsideration of how educators discuss the core values in foundations courses.
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