Social Epistemology

The Niches for Knowledge and Ignorance

Alessandra Tanesini (Cardiff University, UK)

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English

Polity Press
26 September 2025

Philosophy: epistemology & theory of knowledge; Social & political philosophy

Human beings change the world in order to know it more easily and reliably. That is, we construct social and material environments, or 'epistemic niches', and develop cognitive tools to better acquire, transmit, or store information. A queue, for example, is an environment where information about the order of arrival is conveyed by a spatial configuration. Queues are niches that transform an arduous memory task into a simpler perceptual one.

In this important book, Alessandra Tanesini argues that knowledge and ignorance always occur within epistemic niches and that neither can be properly described or evaluated independently of the niches within which it is found. She explores two dominant themes. First, epistemic niches in the Global North and, increasingly, elsewhere are quantified niches that promote transforming the world into aggregates of data that are suitable for classification, measurement, ranking, standardisation, and automation. These niches carry distinctive epistemic benefits and disadvantages. Second, some epistemic niches are in the service of ignorance and oppression rather than knowledge. Tanesini offers analyses of some environments that promote epistemic exploitation, appropriation, cultural imperialism, and epistemic extractivism.

Social Epistemology: The Niches for Knowledge and Ignorance is a groundbreaking work for students and scholars of philosophy, political theory, social psychology, and related disciplines.

By: Alessandra Tanesini (Cardiff University UK)
Imprint: Polity Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 231mm, Width: 158mm, Spine: 28mm
Weight: 567g
ISBN: 9781509553419
ISBN 10: 150955341X
Pages: 272
Publication Date: 26 September 2025
Audience: Professional and scholarly , College/higher education , Undergraduate , Further / Higher Education
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Acknowledgements 1 Social Epistemology: Building Relations of Epistemic Dependence 2 Scaffolded Knowledge in Epistemic Niches: The Framework 3 The Cultural Niche 4 The Quantification Niche 5 The Oppressive Niche 6 The Online and Algorithmic Niches 7 The Political Scientific Niche Notes References Index

Alessandra Tanesini is Professor Emerita of Philosophy at Cardiff University.

Reviews for Social Epistemology: The Niches for Knowledge and Ignorance

‘Tanesini truly delivers on the social epistemological promise to illuminate the social dimensions of knowledges. She shows how epistemology must move beyond its emphasis on testimony to understand how the physical and social environment is fundamental to what and how we believe.’ Neil Levy, University of Oxford ‘This book’s core notion, that of the epistemic niche, will inform how social epistemologists think about the production of knowledge and ignorance going forward. Those interested in the social dimensions of knowledge will ignore Tanesini’s book at their own peril.’ Sanford Goldberg, Northwestern University ""Tanesini truly delivers on the social epistemological promise to illuminate the social dimensions of knowledges. She shows how epistemology must move beyond its emphasis on testimony to understand how the physical and social environment is fundamental to what and how we believe."" Neil Levy, University of Oxford ""This book’s core notion, that of the epistemic niche, will inform how social epistemologists think about the production of knowledge and ignorance going forward. Those interested in the social dimensions of knowledge will ignore Tanesini’s book at their own peril."" Sanford Goldberg, Northwestern University