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A theory that the distinction between science and non‑science depends on the context of inquiry, including the goals, resources, and background assumptions of the community making the judgment. What counts as “scientific” in a high‑energy physics lab differs from what counts in a public health emergency. Contextualist demarcation rejects universal rules; it asks: “For what purpose, in what setting, with what stakes?” This flexibility helps avoid gatekeeping that excludes useful but unconventional research.
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