Epistemology of the Significance Concept
Document Type
Article
Journal/Book Title
American Antiquity
Publication Date
1-1-1984
Volume
48
First Page
707
Last Page
719
Abstract
Although the concept of significance has been widely discussed in cultural resource management, the origin of the idea and the epistemology underlying it have remained unexamined. This paper outlines the history of the significance concept in historic preservation and traces the current view of significance to the empiricist-positivist school of Western philosophical thought. Flaws in the arguments of this school, and in the logic of the significance concept, are raised and discussed. Potential approaches for dealing with aspects of the significance dilemma are proposed.
Recommended Citation
Tainter, J. A. and G. J. Lucas. Epistemology of the Significance Concept. American Antiquity 48: 707-719.
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