Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1996
Publication Title
Review Journal of Philosophy and Social Science
Volume
21
First Page
1
Last Page
18
Abstract
Responding to those who want to consign ideologies to the dustbin of history, I make what is perhaps an unexpected connection between ideologies and scientific theories to ward off what may amount to be an assault on the former's cognitive value. Although there are significant differences between ideologies and scientific theories, particularly in terms of objectivity and openness to innovation, I find that they are similar insofar as each is a cognitive fund which allows us to make sense of the world that we live in. Part of the sense-making quality of scientific theories is that they allow us to constitute and appreciate facts about the world. In other words, the facts of science are theory-laden. Similarly, ideologies, such as Noam Chomsky's libertarian socialism or anarchism are also cognitive funds with sense-making qualities which laden facts, albeit facts of a different kind. More than that, however, I argue that the ability of ideologies to constitute and appreciate facts gives us reason for thinking the decline of ideologies as shapers of global polities to be premature.
Recommended Citation
Conces, Rory J., "The Semblance of Ideologies and Scientific Theories and the Constitution of Facts" (1996). Philosophy Faculty Publications. 15.
https://digitalcommons.unomaha.edu/philfacpub/15