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'Epistemological dependency'-cognitive relativism in development thinking

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  • Bianca Többe Gonçalves

    (Munich, Germany)

Abstract

Nowadays fashionable postmodernism entered the realm of development studies as post-development. Although post-development has been widely criticised on account of its political and economic romanticism, many critics nevertheless wrongly praise the methodological 'challenge' posed by post-developmentalism. It will be argued that postmodernism's cognitive relativism cannot be a serious approach to investigate development problems. A closer look at the epistemological divide within the social sciences (Hegelianism vs. positivism) helps to understand why postmodernism's cognition attracts even many of its critics and why universal reason needs to be defended. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Suggested Citation

  • Bianca Többe Gonçalves, 2006. "'Epistemological dependency'-cognitive relativism in development thinking," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 18(8), pages 1151-1165.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:jintdv:v:18:y:2006:i:8:p:1151-1165
    DOI: 10.1002/jid.1299
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Andy Storey, 2000. "Post-Development Theory: Romanticism and Pontius Pilate politics," Development, Palgrave Macmillan;Society for International Deveopment, vol. 43(4), pages 40-46, December.
    2. Merquior, JoseGuilherme, 1993. "A panoramic view of the rebirth of liberalisms," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 21(8), pages 1263-1269, August.
    3. Arturo Escobar, 2000. "Beyond the Search for a Paradigm? Post-Development and beyond," Development, Palgrave Macmillan;Society for International Deveopment, vol. 43(4), pages 11-14, December.
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