Linguists and their work: Epistemic and ethical challenges

Area of Science:

• Linguistics
• Philosophy of Science
• Epistemology

Background:

• The ethics of scientific research is intrinsically linked to epistemic reflection on linguistic work.
• The traditional internalist vs. externalist debate in linguistics stems from a CONTAINER perception of language.
• Existing dichotomies in linguistic epistemology warrant re-examination.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce the interplay between linguistics, epistemology, and the ethics of linguistic work.
• To propose a new conceptual framework for understanding debates in linguistics.
• To bridge philosophical divides and foster ethical consensus in linguistic research.

Main Methods:

• Revisiting the CONTAINER perception of language.
• Introducing a naturalist vs. extra-naturalist dichotomy.
• Analyzing the narrative construction in linguistic fact-finding.

Main Results:

• The naturalist vs. extra-naturalist opposition offers a productive lens for assessing linguistic research.
• This framework transcends traditional linguistic dichotomies.
• Reconciling these philosophies involves ethical considerations in scholarly narrative.

Conclusions:

• Ethical considerations are fundamental to the epistemic quality of linguistic research.
• A narrative promoting approximative statements fosters scholarly consensus.
• The proposed framework offers a path toward an ethical consensus in linguistics.