Posted by Ron de Weijze on July 08, 2000 at 11:20:51:

In Reply to: Re: Where KM Strategies Succeed posted by Robert Benjamin on June 14, 2000 at 08:02:04:

Hi Robert,

I trust you are not discrediting the scientific method here. Linear extensions of conceptual thought into practice by scientists may seem or be ridiculous in particular cases, like Erich von Deniken (sp?) "showing" that extraterrestrials have visited earth and such. However, as you are probably well aware, methodology has a lengthy history and is as trustworthy as it asserts reliability and validity of any knowledge claims and "applications" in practice.

You say you like to hold on to the fuzziness of concepts and not reduce them to these linear practices. I would suggest to look into the way these concepts occur, which might reveal a different kind of reductionism, namely the reduction of truth to fiction or prose. There are those who believe in emergent myths, deep axiomatic theory or anything guaranteeing a fun session that may even be sold as km intervention. However it is this emergence of perception that needs scientific methodology as well.

I believe it is foremost independence, if not skepticism, that should accompany emergentism in discussion groups. Extremizations and polarizations of salient features of any group interaction often is no more than subtle and refined hooliganism. On the other hand, too much skepticism leads to sterility and lack of passion, which sure is a quality of good scientific conduct as well. Laboratory situations are not fit for valid representations of real life situations either, except for a few experiments that usually are quite deceptive.

Reality ultimately is the same for all perception because it created perception in the first place. Therefore, we can be in agreement about the truth. However, we cannot parrot each other in feelgood reality media like support groups and social biospheres, unless we do so for survival reasons. It does not test validity of concepts but capitalizes on the false belief that power is knowledge. Independent reproduction of perceptual or intellectual images is the best guarantee or even criterion for knowledge acquisition.

Best,
Ron.

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Follow Ups:

• Re: Where KM Strategies Succeed Robert Benjamin 06:34:56 07/10/00 (2)
  • Re: Where KM Strategies Succeed Ron de Weijze 17:12:17 07/10/00 (1)
    • Re: Where KM Strategies Succeed Robert Benjamin 05:31:22 07/11/00 (0)

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