Epistemologi Lokal dan Sains Modern: Tinjauan Kritis Filsafat Sains terhadap Pengetahuan Ekologis Berbasis Kearifan Lokal Tambora

Empiricism Journal
Vol. 7 No. 1: March 2026

Diskursus mengenai relasi antara pengetahuan lokal dan sains modern semakin menempati posisi penting dalam kajian lingkungan dan keberlanjutan. Pengetahuan ekologis berbasis kearifan lokal tidak lagi dipahami semata sebagai praktik budaya, melainkan sebagai sistem epistemik yang memiliki rasionalitas, validitas kontekstual, dan kapasitas adaptif yang tinggi. Artikel ini bertujuan untuk meninjau secara kritis bagaimana epistemologi lokal diposisikan dalam literatur ilmiah serta bagaimana relasinya dengan sains modern, dengan refleksi konseptual pada kearifan lokal Tambora. Kajian ini menggunakan pendekatan review literatur naratif-kritis terhadap jurnal internasional dan nasional bereputasi yang membahas pengetahuan ekologis lokal, epistemologi sains, dan pengelolaan lingkungan berkelanjutan. Hasil review menunjukkan bahwa meskipun pengetahuan lokal semakin diakui dalam praktik kebijakan dan pengelolaan sumber daya alam, posisinya masih sering direduksi secara instrumental dan belum sepenuhnya diakui sebagai sumber epistemik yang setara dengan sains modern. Literatur mutakhir menekankan pentingnya pluralisme epistemologis, keadilan epistemik, dan pendekatan berbasis tempat dalam memahami kompleksitas sistem sosial–ekologis. Dalam konteks Tambora, epistemologi lokal berpotensi memberikan kontribusi signifikan terhadap pengembangan ilmu pengetahuan yang lebih kontekstual, relasional, dan berorientasi pada keberlanjutan. Local Epistemology and Modern Science: a Critical Philosophy of Science Review of Ecological Knowledge Based on Tambora Local Wisdom Abstract The relationship between local knowledge and modern science has become an increasingly important topic in environmental and sustainability studies. Local ecological knowledge grounded in indigenous and local wisdom is no longer understood merely as cultural practice, but as an epistemic system with its own rationality, contextual validity, and adaptive capacity. This article aims to critically review how local epistemologies are positioned within scientific literature and how they relate to modern science, with a conceptual reflection on the local wisdom of the Tambora region. The study employs a critical narrative literature review of reputable international and national journals addressing local ecological knowledge, epistemology of science, and sustainable environmental management. The review findings indicate that although local knowledge is increasingly acknowledged in environmental governance and resource management practices, it is often incorporated instrumentally and not fully recognized as an autonomous epistemic source equivalent to modern science. Recent literature emphasizes the importance of epistemological pluralism, epistemic justice, and place-based approaches for understanding the complexity of social–ecological systems. In the context of Tambora, local epistemology demonstrates strong potential to contribute to the development of scientific knowledge that is more contextual, relational, and sustainability-oriented. This review contributes to contemporary philosophy of science by reinforcing the legitimacy of local knowledge as an integral component of inclusive and reflexive knowledge production.