The epistemological status of the human sciences

Mora Ramirez R.F. · Cuestiones de Filosofia (2025) · DOI: 10.19053/uptc.01235095.v11.n37.2025.18967

Resumen

This article studies the epistemological status of the human sciences, analyzing their scientific character and their relevance in contemporary knowledge. The justification for the study lies in the need to clarify the value of the human sciences as opposed to the tendency to consider only the natural sciences as a model of epistemological rigor. The main objective is to determine in what sense the human sciences can be considered scientific, differentiating them from the natural and social sciences. The methodology adopted follows a qualitative approach, based on hermeneutic analysis and philosophical argumentation, based on a review of specialized literature. The main results indicate that the human sciences have their own epistemological structure, based on the interpretation and construction of meanings, rather than on the empirical verification of universal laws. It is concluded that the human sciences play a fundamental role in the understanding of culture, his- tory and subjectivity, providing critical perspectives necessary for society. Their scientificity resides in their own method, based on the understanding and reflective analysis of human experience. © Cuestiones de Filosofía proporciona acceso abierto a su contenido https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal