File spoon-archives/bhaskar.archive/bhaskar_2000/bhaskar.0006, message 216


From: "Colin Wight" <Colin.Wight-AT-aber.ac.uk>
Subject: BHA: RE: R: RE: RE: adjudicating between knowledge claims
Date: Fri, 23 Jun 2000 11:38:39 +0100


Hi Jonathan,

Thanks for your comments. I am with you all the way until you get to:


> To the extent that it also involves a systematic engagement with various
> forms of 'evidence', I think that there is scope for formalisation.

I don't understand why the commitment to engage with various forms of
evidence means there is scope for formalisation of theory choice. I
certainly agree that there is scope for certain disciplines to explore the
strengths and limits of differing kinds of evidence, but this says little
about how these explorations help us with theory choice until we know what
the theories are and the object domain is. Once we have this we can then
draw on the various forms of evidence aware of their strengths and
limitations.

 As Tobin indicates, to give prominence to aesthetic
> attributes contradicts core assumptions of CR.

Well as should be aware from my posts I think Tobin basically wrong here and
if CR says this I think CR is wrong also. Aesthetic criteria may be vitally
important if you have an aesthetically saturated object then aesthetics amy
play some role. Speaking personally, as many on the list will know I have an
outrageously subjective approach to aesthetics, so my inclination is to
downplay them as episetmological criteria. However, i still wouldn't rule
them out. This discussion is really quite amusing for me, because I get the
feeling I am beginning to emerge as an "anything goes" postmodernist. Hah!


But I
> would be interested to know whether you would place *any* constraints on
> theory adjudication on a priori grounds?

Well yes, I don't think torturing people is a a very appropriate criteria
and I would like to see social power excluded in most cases but am doubtful
the extent to which it could be.

I don't think tossing a coin particulaly a good idea, but will admit to
using it to settle some disputes. Often we use criteria with a very deep
sense of regret simply because we are aware of our limitations.

Cheers,

=================================Dr. Colin Wight
Department of International Politics
University of Wales, Aberystwyth
Tel: 01970 621769
http://www.aber.ac.uk/~cow
==================================


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