A plea for minimally biased naturalistic philosophy

Area of Science:

• Philosophy of Science
• Epistemology

Background:

• Naturalistic philosophy utilizes literature search and review extensively.
• Current literature review processes in philosophy are susceptible to systematic biases.
• These biases can impact the reliability and validity of philosophical research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the pervasive issue of systematic biases in philosophical literature reviews.
• To introduce systematic review methodologies as a solution to mitigate these biases.
• To advocate for the adoption of systematic approaches in naturalistic philosophy.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of common literature search and review practices in naturalistic philosophy.
• Examination of the impact of systematic biases on research outcomes.
• Proposal and justification for the integration of systematic review techniques.

Main Results:

• Literature search and review processes in philosophy are demonstrably affected by systematic biases.
• Systematic reviews, widely used in scientific disciplines, offer a robust framework to minimize bias.
• Adopting systematic methodologies enhances reproducibility and transparency in philosophical research.

Conclusions:

• Naturalistic philosophers should supplement traditional literature review methods with systematic approaches.
• Systematic reviews are crucial for improving the rigor and objectivity of philosophical inquiry.
• Integrating systematic methodologies is essential for advancing reliable and transparent philosophical research.