Buskell, Andrew (2026) Ontic Risk and the Culture Concept. Ergo. ISSN 2330-4014
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Abstract
I here argue for ontic risk as a distinctive kind of risk emerging in scientific research. Ontic risk arises in situations where there are valid ontological choices, and the authoritative establishment of any particular ontology over a domain can lead to harm. To articulate ontic risk, I develop a case study from the history of anthropology. The early twentieth century was a time of profound uncertainty for anthropological theory, with researchers developing and adopting many different ontologies of culture. Focusing on Alfred Kroeber and his Handbook of the Indians of California, I show how Kroeber's idiosyncratic ontology and research practices continue to cause substantial hardships. I close by distinguishing ontic risk from nearby ideas in the literature, notably, testimonial injustice and epistemic risk.
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| Item Type: | Published Article or Volume | ||||||
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| Keywords: | Risk, Ontology, Social Ontology, Culture | ||||||
| Subjects: | General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics General Issues > Ethical Issues General Issues > Operationalism/Instrumentalism General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism General Issues > Values In Science |
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| Depositing User: | Dr. Andrew Buskell | ||||||
| Date Deposited: | 21 Feb 2026 20:34 | ||||||
| Last Modified: | 21 Feb 2026 20:34 | ||||||
| Item ID: | 28308 | ||||||
| Journal or Publication Title: | Ergo | ||||||
| Publisher: | Michigan Publishing | ||||||
| Subjects: | General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics General Issues > Ethical Issues General Issues > Operationalism/Instrumentalism General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism General Issues > Values In Science |
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| Date: | 21 February 2026 | ||||||
| ISSN: | 2330-4014 | ||||||
| URI: | https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/28308 |
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