Epistemology and the Boundaries Between Phenomena and Conventions

A fundamental issue in epistemology pertains to the basis on which to choose a given mode of inquiry and explanation. ‘Scientism’, reduced to a maxim, is the claim that this is a pseudo-issue, for scientific modes of inquiry and explanation are, in principle, ultimate. Often left unaddressed, however, are the criteria to be satisfied by allegedly ‘scientific’ approaches. Also often ignored is the ‘boundary’ question distinguishing between natural phenomena and mere convention.