From the constructs and methods of the philosophers to a model for improved discourse between disciplines

Harrison, John

From the constructs and methods of the philosophers to a model for improved discourse between disciplines

Master Thesis

2020

Abstract

We have problem areas which are beyond the scope of a discipline, but we are generally educated in just a single discipline. I explored our philosophy of work to see how we became disciplinary, where the disciplines came from, what philosophy underlies our way of working, and what philosophy underpins work that is beyond the scope of a discipline. The underlying philosophy leads to the research question. My hypothesis is that a systems engineer can create a model which networks the disciplines using constructs from philosophy, the tiers of disciplines in transdisciplinarity, and systemic and holistic thinking. This will provide a way of working on problem situations which transgress the boundary of a discipline. Using constructs from philosophy, the methods of the philosophers, hermeneutics, systems thinking and soft systems methodology I proceeded to create a conceptual model and showed conceptual examples of how to use the model. The client for the model is the interdisciplinary researcher who is seeking a way of working to manage problem areas that transgress disciplinary boundaries. The recommendation is made for using critical, systemic and holistic thinking and a network model of disciplines to manage our approach to problem situations which are beyond the scope of a discipline. The model is developed in the incremental sequence: disciplinary, multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary, transdisciplinary and gets as far as catering for tiers of disciplines (one aspect of the large and complex field of transdisciplinarity). Therefore, the model is suitable for interdisciplinary research, but can be developed further in future projects. The importance of the model is that it provides a practical way of working to manage problem situations which transgress disciplinary boundaries whilst accessing the expertise of disciplined practitioners. The model can find wide applicability. It is not necessary for the user of the model to be comfortable with the abstract philosophy used to create it. Users will need the will for uncoerced mutual understanding or free communication, along with their disciplinary expertise. The reader of the dissertation however should be comfortable with abstractions such as ideas about reality and actuality, form and class, subject and object, truth and justice, truthfulness and functional fit. Future work may reduce the method to practice in the academy and extend the method to bridging silos in learning organisations in the workplace. The work was conducted independently, and an original model was created.

Keywords

systems engineering

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