Review of the book by Elena O. Trufanova "The subject and cognition in the world of social constructions" (Moscow: Kanon + ROOI "Rehabilitation", 2018. 320 pp.)

Abstract

The concept of “the social turn” and an appeal to nonclassical epistemology are relevant for the current scientific and philosophical community. One of the branches of nonclassical epistemology – namely, social constructionism – is carefully analyzed by E.O. Trufanova in her book “The subject and cognition in the world of social constructionsˮ. Social constructionism is distinguished by author both from social constructivism and epistemological constructivism. Particular attention is paid to the concepts of the Self (I) and the knowing subject. Supporters of social constructionism problematize the concept of reality, including scientific reality, proclaiming scientific facts (as well as the subject of knowledge) to be social construction. Carefully analyzing various directions within the framework of the modern social constructionist approach, noting the rationality contained in these studies, the author stands up for the protection of traditional epistemological values.