Cultural Affiliation and Language Methodological Problems in Cross-Cultural Experimental Philosophy

Authors

  • Krzysztof Sękowski Institute of Philosophy, University of Warsaw

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14394/filnau.2018.0003

Keywords:

experimental philosophy, methodology of cross-cultural studies, cultural affiliation, content validity, philosophical intuitions

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to analyze methodological problems of cross-cultural research in experimental philosophy. By studying five research projects, representing two distinct approaches to the examination of cross-cultural differences in philosophical intuitions, I point out the difficulties related to the content validity that appear in the choice of some cultural affiliation indicators. I criticize various indicators of cultural affiliation that are used in experimental philosophy (selfidentification, language) and suggest which indicators, and how, should be chosen in that kind of research. I also argue that some problems related to bilingualism, translation, and the possible influence of language on the owned or reported philosophical intuitions may be impossible to transcend in cross-cultural research in experimental philosophy. It may be impossible to assess the differences between cultural philosophical intuitions.

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Published

2018-03-25

How to Cite

Sękowski, K. (2018). Cultural Affiliation and Language Methodological Problems in Cross-Cultural Experimental Philosophy. The Philosophy of Science, 26(1), 44–66. https://doi.org/10.14394/filnau.2018.0003