I recently discovered Kevin deLaplante’s great podcast The Critical Thinker (link). An episode that recently got my interest discusses Mercier and Sperber’s argumentative theory reason, a theory of human reason that I used in my doctoral research. Similarly to my approach of mobilising insights from both social and psychological/cognitive sciences to understand and enhance knowledge … [Read more…]
This post shifts focus slightly to consider social science and some of the key ideas I’ve considered over recent years and begun to embrace regarding the goals of social science, social research practices, and some philosophical aspects of such inquiry. Amongst other considerations, my current view is that social inquiry should have explanatory aims; can … [Read more…]
Yesterday I read an interesting book chapter on the evidence-based practice movement. The author (Dennis M. Gorman from Texas A&M University) argues that is a major driver of pseudoscience in various public health practice areas (the chapter focusses on drug prevention research). Gorman presents evidence of “questionable data analysis practices to produce positive results” – and related gaming … [Read more…]
In his book The Invention of Science David Wootton argues that “the idea of discovery is … a precondition for the invention of science” (p.54) and, linked with this, that the idea of discovery itself had to be invented. He points to the works of Francis Bacon which “built a philosophy of science around the … [Read more…]
Last week I received a letter from University of Technology Sydney (UTS) stating that the Graduate Research School at UTS has recommended (to the Academic Board) that I be admitted to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (the degree will be conferred in March). This letter more formally marks the completion of what has been … [Read more…]
I discovered the philosopher Cheryl Misak (link) whilst working on my PhD. Whilst her book Cambridge Pragmatism is mainly intended as a rewriting of the history of pragmatist philosophy, I read it as part of my efforts to gain a stronger understanding of the pragmatist philosophical tradition. Two key opening statements in the Preface that … [Read more…]
I’ve been pondering my career options and one trend of interest is the increasing focus on assessing the impact of research activities and investments (link, link, link, link). These assessments are also seen as being inherently challenging (e.g. see link), often highly flawed, and there are important debates about who should do such evaluations and … [Read more…]
The concept of knowledge practices is increasingly central to much of my research, thinking and work and, as part of this, I’m developing a list a practices-of-interest. Some of these practices are also innovation-oriented and not only used for producing or appraising knowledge or for facilitating the use (or “uptake”) of findings/scientific evidence. I’m also … [Read more…]
One of the most interesting aspects of Oxford Scenario Planning Approach (OSPA) – as outlined in the book Strategic Reframing by Rafael Ramirez and Angela Wilkinson (core Faculty at the Oxford Scenarios Programme at Oxford University’s Said Business School) – is the emphasis placed on attending to peoples’ “sense of the future”. As they put … [Read more…]
I’ve started developing a list of key readings which explore how and why engagement with the future can be biased (or problematic in other/related ways). This list of readings is a work-in-progress and will be progressively added to… I’d be keen to hear from you if you have suggestions for additional readings exploring the following … [Read more…]