A Critique of Epistemocracy, with Ambrosio Velasco Gómez

Click here to register via Eventbrite.

This is a hybrid event. Those wishing to join the event online via Teams will receive a joining link after registration, nearer to the date of the seminar. 

Abstract

The Talk critically discusses a hegemonic conception of scientific knowledge as a resource for justifying political power, that I call “epistemocracy”. I contend that epistemocracy is a fallacy to legitimize authoritarian regimes and colonialism. Overcoming epistemocracy and its political consequences requires new paradigms based on epistemic pluralism, including non-scientific traditional knowledge, and epistemic equity.

Speaker Bio

Ambrosio Velasco Gómez is full Researcher-Professor of Philosophy of Science, Political Philosophy and Mexican Philosophy at the National Autonomous University of México (UNAM) and National Emeritus Researcher. He was founder and director of the Graduate Program of Philosophy of Science (1993-2001) and Dean of Faculty of Philosophy and Literature (2001-2009) at UNAM; President of Mexican Philosophical Association (2014-2016). He is director of University Seminar of Scientific and Philosophical Problems. His published works include books and articles on philosophy of science, philosophy and history of political theory, multiculturalism, hermeneutics, Iberoamerican philosophy and Mexican Humanism. His most recent books are El devenir de la filosofía Mexicana a través de sus tradiciones y controversias (UNAM, 2022) Aspectos epistemológicos, hermenéuticos y políticos de la diversidad cultural, México, UNAM, 2025 and Pluralismo, equidad epistémica y crítica a la epistemocracia., México, CONAHCYT- FCE, 2025.

Further Information

Please note, filming, recording and/or photography may take place at this event.

Click here for acccessibility information.