In this pioneering study, Dr. Roy addresses an area of philosophical inquiry that has remained largely underrepresented in Indian academia—social epistemology. His work not only traces the trajectory of epistemological thought but also underscores the emergence of social epistemology as a crucial and contemporary development within it. By focusing on how knowledge is shaped within social frameworks and communities, the book opens a necessary conversation on collective epistemic processes in today’s globally interconnected society.
Targeted at students, academics, and scholars, Extended Knowledge & Social Epistemology is particularly relevant in the Indian context, where applied branches of philosophy such as social epistemology have not yet gained wide traction. Dr. Roy’s work aims to address this gap, offering a comprehensive and accessible examination of how knowledge is influenced, validated, and transmitted in social environments.
Dr. Roy is a faculty member at Scottish Church College, an institution recognized with a NAAC Grade ‘A’ and known for its distinguished intellectual legacy. The college has produced renowned alumni such as Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Swami Vivekananda, and A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. In keeping with this tradition of academic excellence, Dr. Roy’s contribution represents a continuation of the college’s role in fostering critical philosophical discourse and rigorous research.
The research was supported and funded by the Bhaktivedanta Research Center (BRC), an ISO-certified institution with a strong national and international presence. The BRC offers advanced academic programs, including Master’s and PhD degrees in philosophy, and is committed to the preservation and dissemination of India’s philosophical and cultural heritage. The Center played an instrumental role in the publication of the book, reaffirming its dedication to promoting scholarly work of lasting impact.
Commenting on the importance of the publication, Dr. Sumanta Rudra, Academic Dean of BRC, remarked, “Dr. Roy’s work is a significant contribution that is sure to leave a lasting legacy in this academic area. By mapping the intellectual history of social epistemology and illuminating how knowledge originates and operates within social contexts, it calls for deeper reflection on the nature of knowing in today’s interconnected world. It has been a great pleasure and honour for the Bhaktivedanta Research Center to support this important research and publication, which brings new insights to a much-needed area of philosophical inquiry.”
Extended Knowledge & Social Epistemology is poised to become an essential resource for those interested in the social aspects of knowledge production. It offers a fresh and timely perspective that not only enhances philosophical scholarship but also invites broader academic engagement with the forces—be they communities, institutions, or social agents—that shape the contours of what we know and how we come to know it.
