The ontological and epistemological foundations of tourism geography: Chosen aspects of its empirical field of research

Abstract

The article addresses a noteworthy gap in the consideration of philosophical dimensions within the methodological discourse of geography. Specifically, the domain of tourism geography, as a “young” sub-discipline, requires a more profound analysis of its subject matter, particularly the empirical field. Consequently, the primary objective of this study is to explore ontological and epistemic questions concerning the nature ofthe empirical field in tourism geography and the status of knowledge generated within it. Employing ananalytic philosophy approach and leveraging J. Searle’s new-realist social ontology, the investigation seeks toshed light on the vital interplay between philosophy and geography. By illuminating the unexplored philosophical aspects, this research contributes to the broader understanding of geographical methodologies, making it an essential step toward advancing the theoretical field of tourism geography.