Inquiry
|
Inquiry | |
|---|---|
|
| |
| Type | Epistemic process |
| Field | Epistemology; Philosophy of science |
| Core idea | Structured activity aimed at resolving questions or reducing uncertainty |
| Assumptions | Questions can be meaningfully investigated; evidence can bear on answers |
| Status | Foundational concept |
| Related | Doubt; Evidence; Explanation; Knowledge |
Inquiry is the process through which questions are investigated, uncertainty is reduced, and understanding is sought. It encompasses activities such as observation, experimentation, reasoning, and critical evaluation, and it plays a central role in both everyday problem-solving and systematic scientific research.
Inquiry is a core concept in epistemology and the philosophy of science, where it is examined as a method for acquiring, revising, and organizing beliefs.
Core idea
At its core, inquiry is goal-directed investigation. It begins with a question, problem, or state of uncertainty and proceeds through the collection and evaluation of information in order to arrive at more stable or justified positions.
Inquiry does not guarantee definitive answers; it aims to improve epistemic standing relative to available information.
Inquiry and doubt
Inquiry is often initiated by doubt. When existing beliefs are questioned or found insufficient, inquiry serves as a means of addressing that uncertainty.
Doubt motivates inquiry, but inquiry may continue even when doubt is limited or localized.
Questions and problems
Inquiry is structured around questions or problems. The formulation of a question shapes what counts as relevant evidence and which methods are appropriate.
Poorly specified questions can hinder inquiry by obscuring what would count as a satisfactory answer.
Methods of inquiry
Different domains employ different methods of inquiry, including:
- observation and measurement;
- experimentation and intervention;
- reasoning and argument;
- comparison of alternative explanations.
The suitability of a method depends on the nature of the question and the constraints of the domain.
Inquiry and evidence
Inquiry relies on evidence to support or undermine potential answers. Evidence is gathered, assessed, and weighed according to domain-specific standards.
The interpretation of evidence often depends on background assumptions and theoretical frameworks.
Inquiry and inference
Inference plays a central role in inquiry by connecting evidence to conclusions. Inferential steps allow investigators to move beyond what is directly observed.
Different inferential strategies manage uncertainty and risk in different ways.
Inquiry and explanation
Inquiry often aims at explanation. Providing an explanation can resolve a question by showing how a phenomenon arises or why it occurs.
However, not all inquiries seek explanation; some aim at classification, description, or prediction.
Inquiry and revision
Inquiry is dynamic and revisable. Conclusions reached through inquiry remain open to revision in light of new evidence, improved methods, or better questions.
This revisability distinguishes inquiry from dogmatic assertion.
Inquiry in science
Scientific inquiry is characterized by systematic methods, public scrutiny, and cumulative revision. Hypotheses are tested against evidence, and results are subject to replication and critique.
Scientific inquiry provides a model for managing uncertainty without requiring certainty.
Practical inquiry
Inquiry also occurs in practical contexts, such as decision-making, troubleshooting, and everyday reasoning. These forms of inquiry may prioritize timeliness or adequacy over completeness.
Practical inquiry highlights trade-offs between epistemic rigor and action.
Limits and disagreement
Inquiry does not always converge on a single answer. Persistent disagreement may arise due to limited evidence, incompatible assumptions, or differing standards of adequacy.
Recognizing these limits helps clarify what inquiry can and cannot resolve.
Status
Inquiry is a foundational epistemic process. Its analysis clarifies how questions are pursued, how uncertainty is managed, and how beliefs are responsibly formed and revised.