Critical systems thinking and pluralism : a new constellation
This thesis explains theoretical issues concerned with paradigm incommensurability and the solutions offered by various critical systems writers. The problems of ~imperialism~ are outlined together with an analysis of the meta-theoretical views which purport to avoid imperialism. It is suggested that researchers attempting to understand alien or incommensurable paradigms or cultures often succumb to imperialism in its various guises. Three models of methods used by such researchers are described. The last of these, the model of critical appreciation, incorporates two crucial components advocated by Habermas and endorsed by Bernstein: critical self-reflection based upon an analogy of Freud's model of dream analysis, and an explicit critique of ideology. Methodological guidelines are offered which draw on an analogy of dream-analysis and on historical reconstruction as ideology-critique. It is suggested that any social inquiry must contain elements of ~reflexive~ (philosophical) and ~scientific~ (practical) inquiry together with ideology-critique and critical self-reflection in order to bring about the emancipation of individuals and groups. A model of self-society dynamics reveals the need for reflexive inquiry,
Gregory, Wendy Jane
T Technology (General)
Critical systems thinking and pluralism : a new constellation. This thesis explains theoretical issues concerned with paradigm incommensurability and the solutions offered by various critical systems writers. The problems of ~imperialism~ are outlined together with an analysis of the meta-theoretical views which purport to avoid imperialism. It is suggested that researchers attempting to understand alien or incommensurable paradigms or cultures often succumb to imperialism in its various guises. Three models of methods used by such researchers are described. The last of these, the model of critical appreciation, incorporates two crucial components advocated by Habermas and endorsed by Bernstein: critical self-reflection based upon an analogy of Freud's model of dream analysis, and an explicit critique of ideology. Methodological guidelines are offered which draw on an analogy of dream-analysis and on historical reconstruction as ideology-critique. It is suggested that any social inquiry must contain elements of ~reflexive~ (philosophical) and ~scientific~ (practical) inquiry together with ideology-critique and critical self-reflection in order to bring about the emancipation of individuals and groups. A model of self-society dynamics reveals the need for reflexive inquiry,
critical system think pluralism new constellation explains theoretical_issue concern paradigm incommensurability solution offer various critical system writer problem imperialism outline together analysis meta_theoretical view purport avoid imperialism suggest researcher attempt alien incommensurable paradigm culture often succumb imperialism various guise three_model method_use researcher describe last model critical appreciation incorporate crucial component advocate habermas endorse critical self_reflection base_upon analogy freud model dream analysis explicit critique ideology methodological guideline offer draw analogy dream analysis historical_reconstruction ideology critique suggest social inquiry must contain element reflexive philosophical scientific practical inquiry together ideology critique critical self_reflection order_bring emancipation individual_group model self society dynamic reveals need reflexive inquiry