Ontological pluralism, modes of existence, and actor-network theory: upgrading Latour with Latour

Tummons, J.

Abstract

Bruno Latour, one of the architects of actor-network theory, has now enfolded this approach within a larger project: An Inquiry into Modes of Existence. Framed as an empirical inquiry into the ontological and epistemological conditions of modernity, Latour argues for a radical shift in how ‘objectified knowledge’ is established within the world. In this article I draw on AIME in order to respond to criticisms of actor-network theory that derive from broader sociological and philosophical standpoints. I argue that actor-network theory should now only be understood as an integral aspect of Latour’s newer inquiry, and ought no longer to be considered in isolation but instead as being integrated within a critical as well as pragmatic reading of Latour’s AIME project.

Citation

Tummons, J. (2021). Ontological pluralism, modes of existence, and actor-network theory: upgrading Latour with Latour. Social Epistemology, 35(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1080/02691728.2020.1774815

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 23, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Jun 11, 2020
• Publication Date: 2021
• Deposit Date: Jun 1, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 11, 2021
• Journal: Social Epistemology
• Print ISSN: 0269-1728
• Electronic ISSN: 1464-5297
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 35
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 1-11
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02691728.2020.1774815