Quantified Self as Epistemological Anarchism

Area of Science:

• Philosophy of Technology
• Epistemology
• Sociology of Science

Background:

• The quantified self phenomenon, involving self-tracking and data collection, is increasingly prevalent.
• While addressed by sociology and medical humanities, its philosophical implications, particularly in epistemology, remain underexplored.
• Contemporary technology's role in shaping our understanding of knowledge and selfhood is a critical area of inquiry.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the epistemological issues arising from the quantified self phenomenon.
• To analyze the quantified self through the framework of epistemological anarchism.
• To explore the potential crisis in the notions of knowledge and science stemming from self-tracking technologies.

Main Methods:

• Philosophical analysis of the quantified self phenomenon.
• Application of epistemological anarchism as a theoretical lens.
• Examination of representative case studies illustrating the epistemological stance.

Main Results:

• The quantified self can be interpreted through epistemological anarchism, challenging traditional knowledge structures.
• This perspective highlights a potential crisis in how we understand knowledge, particularly the relationship between particularity and universality.
• The study identifies a widespread attitude of self-diagnosis using technology, reflecting broader epistemological shifts.

Conclusions:

• The quantified self phenomenon presents significant philosophical challenges to established notions of knowledge and science.
• Epistemological anarchism offers a valuable framework for understanding the self-tracking movement's impact on knowledge construction.
• The widespread use of technology for self-diagnosis indicates a broader shift in how individuals engage with and validate knowledge.