Hybrid Virtue Epistemology for the Philosophy of Science

This article examines the applicability of virtue epistemology within the philosophy of science discourse. It argues that contemporary approaches in the philosophy of science often overlook the significance of subjective epistemic characteristics in scientific practice, tending to focus either on the social conditions of knowledge production (as seen in the Science and Technology Studies project) or on methodological and demarcation criteria (as emphasized in postpositivism project). Meanwhile, the recent value turn in epistemology introduces a subject-centered perspective to the philosophy of science, suggesting that disciplinary boundaries should be understood not only in terms of methodological differences, but also in terms of intellectual virtues cultivated by scientific communities. The relevance of this study arises from the need to employ conceptual frameworks from contemporary epistemology to discuss scientific disciplinary norms that encompass both value and cognitive content. The aim of this article is to propose a method for applying virtue epistemology as a theoretical framework for evaluating the role of scientists’ subjective qualities in the pursuit of scientific knowledge. The author based his research on the hybrid virtue epistemology developed by Heather Battali and Christopher Hookway, which integrates reliabilist and responsibilist perspectives to defining intellectual virtue. This article discusses various levels of intellectual virtue, their impact on scholarly activity, and the conceptual challenges associated with such integration. The main findings underscore the importance of a hybrid approach to different intellectual virtues in achieving scientific objectives, such as obtaining verifiable truths and supporting a shared understanding within the scientific community. Additionally, the study also emphasizes the necessity of considering the values that underlie scientific inquiry, and the influence of personal beliefs on knowledge formation within the scientific domain. 

Keywords: intellectual virtue; relativism; responsibilism; philosophy of science; hybrid virtue epistemology