Abstract/Résumé/Resumen
The Theory of Three Ages in Archival Science emerges as an epistemic foundation, representing a cyclical process of access, use, and potential disposal of archival documents. However, despite being an epistemic foundation, what are the symbolic and aesthetic aspects of the Theory of the Three Ages? The objective of this study is to make preliminary and epistemological provocations regarding the symbolic and aesthetic images within the Theory of the Three Ages. The study employed a qualitative approach, focusing on symbolic constructions through analogies and metaphors of the Theory of the Three Ages that need to be unveiled. It utilized hermeneutics as a method from an epistemological perspective, analyzing texts, concepts, terms, discourses, and languages; and applied Bachelard's historical-critical epistemic orientation, which goes beyond mere descriptions of events, to analyze and interpret the advances and obstacles in Archival Science. It is inferred that the Theory of Three Ages contains symbolic and aesthetic images based on biologism, such as birth, life, productive life, maturation, and death; and also on spiritualism, through concepts like reincarnation, immortality, and limbo. Both biologism and spiritualism are mental constructs transmitted without questioning or derivation, which is problematic for the advancement of Archival Science.
