A epistemologia das artes literárias como meio de investigação sócio-histórica

The paper presents the principles of the epistemology of knowledge and its importance for social and historical studies. The fine arts are the owners of a series of techniques derived from scientific research activity, which were used by artists of a time to promote ideologies that they considered necessary in their socio-political context. Although epistemological studies are linked to rationality and empiricism in philosophy, the time factor and the contingencies of History are major challenges to achieving effective results in the human and social sciences. However, academic activity must always renew its ethical commitment to justice, equity and the future of the planet and the new generations. The second part of the article presents, in a more pragmatic way, the epistemological resources of a set of artistic works highlighted in the Epistemologies of Knowledge I module, taught in Mozambique (2020) by Prof. Dr. Lourenço do Rosário, in the course of the first PhD class in Development Studies, in the African country. The objects under analysis indicate that art, being a highly subversive and ideological tool, can acquire a scientific character capable of ordering the culture of its own period, with the aim of transforming reality, aiming at the democratization of knowledge and collective well-being. We notice this link of engagement between science and art in the productions of renowned scientists, painters and communicators, such as Plato, Leonardo da Vinci, Antônio Vieira and José Saramago.