In the process of defining the concept of editing, there has been a discussion on the concept of “two types of editing”. One perspective originates from the professionalization of the publishing industry, defining editing as a product that emerges after the professionalization of editing. The other perspective, rooted in the belief that editing activities have existed since ancient times, defines editing as a cultural construction activity that has remained homogeneous throughout history. The divergence between the concepts of “two types of editing” is based on different epistemological perspectives, with the former leaning towards a constructivist epistemology and the latter adhering to an essentialist epistemology. The scientific cognition of the editing concept requires not only acknowledging the differences between these epistemologies but also a transformative shift in epistemology – a transition from “concept as a method” to “method as a concept”, and from “concept as history” to “concept as practice”.