Lesson 2 - Getting a grip on epistemology, axiology, and ontology

Summary

In this mini-lecture, the speaker discusses their philosophical beliefs as a theorist and communicator, focusing on the dimensions of theory: epistemology, ontology, and axiology. They emphasize experiential knowledge over a priori understanding, advocating for a social constructivist view of knowledge that recognizes the role of context and social interaction. The speaker also explores human agency within social structures, the nature of communication as contextual rather than universal, and the inherent values in scholarship. By encouraging students to reflect on their own beliefs, the lecture invites a deeper engagement with the foundations of communication theory.

Takeaways

• 😀 This mini lecture focuses on the instructor's personal perspectives as a theorist and communicator, rather than rehashing textbook content.
• 📚 The lecture will cover four basic dimensions of theories: philosophical assumptions, labels (concepts), connections, and recommendations.
• 🔍 The instructor emphasizes the importance of understanding one's own epistemology, which is the study of knowledge and how we come to know what we know.
• 🌍 Knowledge is described as experiential; it requires personal experience and social context to be fully understood.
• 🔄 The concept of relative knowledge is introduced through the metaphor of the blind men and the elephant, illustrating that perspectives shape understanding.
• 💬 The instructor identifies as a social constructivist, asserting that language is central to knowledge and is socially constructed.
• ⚖️ On ontology, the instructor positions themselves as a pragmatic social determinist, recognizing that society influences choices but that individuals still make decisions.
• 🧠 A distinction is made between states and traits theories regarding human behavior, with the instructor favoring states as more influential over time.
• 🤝 The instructor argues that human experiences are socially focused rather than solely individual, emphasizing the role of social interaction in shaping understanding.
• 🌐 Axiological considerations highlight that values cannot be completely separated from theory; values shape research and its impact on society.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the mini lecture?

The mini lecture focuses on the speaker's personal beliefs and perspectives as a theorist and communicator, rather than re-explaining detailed concepts from the textbook.

What are the four basic dimensions of theories discussed in the lecture?

The four basic dimensions are philosophical assumptions (basic beliefs), labels (concepts), connections (how these pieces fit together), and recommendations (how to improve communication).

What is the speaker's stance on epistemology?

The speaker identifies as an experientialist, arguing that all knowledge must be experiential to some extent and that knowledge is relative, illustrated by the story of the blind men and the elephant.

How does the speaker define knowledge?

The speaker defines knowledge as a social construct, emphasizing that it arises from language and social interactions, and cannot be fully understood in isolation.

What is the speaker's view on human agency and determinism?

The speaker identifies as a pragmatic social determinist, believing that while society influences the choices individuals can make, people still have the ability to make their own choices.

What does the speaker mean by states versus traits in human behavior?

The speaker favors a states theory, suggesting that behavior is influenced by changing contexts rather than fixed traits, challenging the notion that personality traits are unchangeable.

What is the speaker's perspective on the context of communication?

The speaker believes that communication is contextual and cannot exist universally without social context, referencing studies of children raised in isolation to support this claim.

How does the speaker view the relationship between theory and values?

The speaker argues that theory can never be free from values and emphasizes the importance of understanding and embracing one’s values in the research process.

What does the speaker say about the purpose of scholarship?

The speaker contends that scholarship should actively engage in making the world a better place, rather than merely generating new knowledge for its own sake.

What spectrum does the speaker suggest for understanding theoretical perspectives?

The speaker encourages creating a spectrum from positivism (traditional science with no values) to full constructionism (knowledge as social and contextual), positioning themselves closer to constructionism.