The Epistemology of Beliefs in Boudon's Sociology

Epistemology is understood here in its broadest sense, as Raymond Boudon does from his earliest writings to his latest work (Boudon 2012, 2013). It pertains to the evaluation of any belief or knowledge to determine whether its endorsement by the social subject is justified and legitimate (Pouivet 2013, 17–18). In France, the term “epistemology” is often used in a much more restrictive sense. Since Bachelard, it has been reserved for a certain kind of philosophy of the natural sciences. As a result, political, moral, and religious beliefs are often discredited from the outset. They are declared out of scope a priori because they do not belong to the physical or biological sciences. The broader international definition is the one advocated by Boudon. For him, there is continuity between all areas of human adherence: natural sciences, but also rules of law or religious faith. In all cases, the individual believes that “an apple falls once it is detached from the tree” (natural science), “a red light means we should stop” (rule of law and conduct), or “our life continues (or not) after death” (faith). In all cases, sociologists must take these beliefs and knowledge seriously. They need to understand their epistemological foundations, especially from the point of view of the observed subject.

Does this mean that we should assimilate all beliefs? Certainly not. Boudon carefully distinguishes between individual and collective beliefs. He also separates, to better bring them together, descriptive and normative beliefs: the former are about the “true,” and the latter are about the “right.” These categories have their importance: natural sciences are about the “true,” whereas politics or morals are about the “right.” But the dividing line is more subtle: Is religion about the “true” or the “right”? Here, once again, let's take the notion of belief in its broadest sense to grasp the whole picture. Following Kant, we can also distinguish between different kinds of beliefs: knowledge, opinion, and faith (Cuin 2022, 34–35).