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The Social Significance of Churchman’s Epistemological Position

Implications for Responsible Conduct

  • Chapter
Volume 1: Rescuing the Enlightenment from Itself

Abstract

Churchman calls on would-be scientists, as well as others involved in inquiry endeavors, to work across “disciplines” and in the process to be more reflective about the possible consequences in society of their very way of framing research questions for investigation. This is because, in his view, our way of “doing science” already delimits options for practically addressing issues of concern. He proposes that people in society (whether professional inquirers or others) express a commitment to ethical thought/practice in their way of thinking/living — which he calls “conducting ourselves properly” (1979, p. 8). This chapter is aimed at casting additional light on the epistemological and ethical proposals raised by Churchman, by considering his argument in relation to realist-oriented critique that might be directed against it

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. ABET, University of South Africa, South Africa

    Norma R.A. Romm (Research Consultant)

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  1. Norma R.A. Romm
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. California State University, Sacramento, CA, USA

    John P. van Gigch (Emeritus Professor) (Emeritus Professor)

  2. Flinders Institute of Public Policy and Management, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia

    Janet McIntyre-Mills

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Romm, N.R. (2006). The Social Significance of Churchman’s Epistemological Position. In: van Gigch, J.P., McIntyre-Mills, J. (eds) Volume 1: Rescuing the Enlightenment from Itself., vol 1. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-27589-4_6

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