The sufficiency and insufficiency of the scientific method to address the complexity of reality and human life
Keywords:
knowledge, cosmogonic, uncertainty, prospective, ideological biasAbstract
The scientific method has been one of the fundamental pillars in the construction of modern knowledge. However, its predominantly reductionist, disciplinary, and deterministic orientation present limitations for understanding phenomena characterized by uncertainty, emergence, nonlinearity, and multidimensionality. In this context, this article is based on a review of the specialized literature (books, book chapters, and scientific articles) that address this topic and offer critical reflection on the epistemological impact of the scientific method on the processes of knowledge production. This reflection is based on a review of the literature and a critical-interpretive analysis of the epistemological foundations of the scientific method, contrasting them with Edgar Morin’s complexity paradigm and its principles, with special attention to contemporary literature and classic texts essential for understanding.
The results show that disciplinary fragmentation, the separation between subject and object, the claim to scientific neutrality, and the difficulties in addressing open and nonlinear systems limit a comprehensive understanding of reality. Complexity thinking provides tools for articulating knowledge, recognizing interdependencies, and incorporating uncertainty, subjectivity, and emergence into the production of knowledge. Consequently, the findings support the argument that, while the scientific method retains its validity and rigor as a research strategy, it is necessary to broaden its epistemological horizons through transdisciplinary, dialogical, and systemic perspectives. This complementarity fosters a more reflective, adaptable, and relevant science for understanding the complexity of reality, human life, and contemporary challenges.
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