Abstract

VELASCO GOMEZ, Ambrosio. From Pluralism in the Philosophy of Science to the Multicultural Knowledge Society. Rev. iberoam. cienc. tecnol. soc. [online]. 2018, vol.13, n.38, pp.167-182. ISSN 1850-0013.

This work analyses León Olivé’s philosophy throughout the different stages that developed during forty years. Each philosophical moment favors certain problems and perspectives of study. The transition from moment to moment is a response to his discussions with Ibero-American colleagues and his constant self-criticism. At least five moments can be identified in León Olivé’s philosophical journey. These are expressed, above all, in his personal books: philosophy of the social sciences, realism and social constructivism, pluralistic rationalism, ethics of science and technology, knowledge society and cultural diversity. Olivé made relevant contributions during each of these moments, but the greatest worth of his work is appreciated in the articulated reconstruction of those moments of his thought in a continuous progressive movement. Based on this reconstruction, it can be seen that his philosophy’s essential trait is critical pluralism, which moves from epistemological and ontological problems to the sciences and questions of social ethics and policies on the diversity of knowledge in multicultural societies. This turn is an answer to his concern regarding the increasing injustices that result from the sciences, technologies and technosciences in contemporary societies.

Keywords : Social philosophy of science; Pluralism; Rationalism; Realism; Relativism; Multiculturalism; Societies of knowledges.