Home – Home – Jornals – Philosophy of Sciences 2025 number 2

The article raises a problem related to the unclear content of such a metaphorical concept as a turn in philosophy. The author suggests considering the concept of a turn from different angles and using different materials. It is proposed to highlight different aspects of a turn in this concept - such as a change in the picture of the world, a change in the ontological attitude, a change in methods or ways of thinking (methodological turn), a change in a scientific topic or agenda. Alternatives of understanding a turn in philosophy are illustrated by different specific historical and philosophical material of various turns, particularly linguistic, pragmatic, and anthropological turns. It is shown that most of the bearers of those other turns in the 20th century actually proposed a change in the agenda and argued for the related need to search for new means and methods of research. At the same time, old ontologies and attitudes remained at the basis of these studies. The change of agenda occurred quite often throughout the century, and the list of turns is constantly growing. However, not every newly announced turn can be really called a turn, since it does not imply either a change in ontology, or a methodological shift, or a change in the picture of the world.,