Dokumentism

Dokumentism is a philosophical and methodological approach that emphasizes the importance of documentation, recording, and the systematic collection of information as a means of understanding, analyzing, and communicating reality. Rooted in disciplines such as history, anthropology, and information science, dokumentism advocates for meticulous preservation of primary sources, observational records, and contextual data to ensure authenticity and accuracy.

The origins of dokumentism can be traced back to early documentary practices in the 19th and 20th centuries, particularly within the fields of archival science and historiography. It emphasizes the significance of maintaining original sources without undue interpretation or distortion, thus providing a foundation for objective analysis. In contrast to interpretative approaches that focus heavily on theory, dokumentism values the provenance and integrity of documents as essential tools for research.

In contemporary usage, dokumentism manifests in various forms, including digital archiving, data preservation, and ethnographic recording. Its principles guide efforts to secure data longevity, promote transparency, and support reproducibility in research. Critics of dokumentism argue that overemphasis on documentation may overlook the subjective and interpretive aspects inherent in human knowledge, while supporters maintain that systematic documentation is vital for historical accuracy and scientific rigor.

Overall, dokumentism plays a crucial role in disciplines that depend on verifiable data and primary sources, promoting a thorough and systematic approach to capturing and understanding information across different fields of study.