Posted by Yogesh Malhotra on July 07, 1999 at 17:21:40:

In Reply to: Multiple meanings (using map metaphore) posted by Lauri Grohn on July 07, 1999 at 03:29:34:

It has been stated that:

>Using metaphor one could say that
> 1a) Scientific theories are maps of reality
> 1b) Technologies are maps of artifacts based on science
> 2a) Religions, political movements etc. are maps of ethics
> 2b) Arts are technologies of ethics

The greatest advances in learning result from ongoing modification and refinement of theories and their ultimate displacement by new theories that better explain the nature of reality.

The above depiction of theories and reality seems to map well on the logical positivistic paradigm. However, several philosophers of science, particularly the interpretivists and those adhering to critical relativistic epistemology may disagree with the above assertions. Perhaps, it may be opportune to observe the fuzzy boundaries between science [with its various flavors ranging from logical positivistic Decartesian paradigm to critical relativistic school of thought], religion, art and technologies. Perhaps, it may also be opportune to observe that Knowledge Management is as much of a science as it is an art.

The above response is based on my construal of the the constructs that you have referenced and may not be necessarily identical to your interpretation of these constructs. [For more on related meaning making issues, Personal Construction theories may be a good place to start.]

If 'reality' is interpreted as static and discrete and unaffected by temporal and contextual issues, one may consider theory explaining that reality as a "map of reality." However, when the actor plays in making sense of the "reality" than the constructive processes play at least as much a role as any superficial "reality" out ther existing in vacuum. The process becomes all the more interesting when the actors are not behaving as rule-based (programmed) robots but as sense making rational, affective and active protagonists in the process.

• On Science, Scientific Method And Evolution Of Scientific Thought

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Follow Ups:

• Kuhn was not Kuhnian! Lauri Gröhn 01:35:29 7/08/99 (13)
  • Re: Kuhn was not Kuhnian! Kees de Vos 04:52:30 7/11/99 (0)
  • When The Right To Theorize Is Denied Martyn R Jones 22:18:30 7/08/99 (10)
    • Positioning KM Lauri Grohn 07:21:04 7/12/99 (9)
      • Re: Positioning KM ... or letting KM position itself Martyn R Jones 08:39:31 7/12/99 (8)
        • Re: Positioning KM ... or letting KM position itself Lauri Grohn 09:44:36 7/12/99 (7)
          • Knowledge Accounting System Martyn R Jones 10:35:11 7/12/99 (6)
            • Why KM is not a science (yet?) Lauri Grohn 11:22:30 7/12/99 (5)
              • Re: Why KM is not a science (yet?) Kees de Vos 06:09:57 7/14/99 (3)
                • Re: Why KM is not a science (yet?) Lauri Grohn 08:19:51 7/14/99 (2)
                  • Re: Why KM is not a science (yet?) Dan Cohen 17:20:23 7/14/99 (1)
                    • Accounting or just statistics? Lauri Grohn 03:00:13 7/15/99 (0)
              • Reasons, Arguments, Shorthand and Anecdotes Martyn R Jones 13:54:48 7/12/99 (0)
  • Re: Kuhn was not Kuhnian! Mezei 12:38:49 7/08/99 (0)
• Re: On Science and Art Mezei 17:40:05 7/07/99 (0)

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