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Problem-Solving Revisited

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Integrative Problem-Solving in a Time of Decadence

Abstract

Philosophers have the reputation of intellectuals for whom an ability to uncork a wine is the apotheosis of practicality. Nevertheless, I am among those who believe that philosophy has numerous practical benefits. Inter alia, philosophy is an ideal subject for learning thinking skills. In this chapter, we will see how IPS can benefit considerably by integrating the argumentative and conceptual focus of philosophy with the rigor and effectiveness of the scientific approach. By integration, of course, is not meant the unification of the different sciences. IPS requires neither the development of common laws for all disciplines nor a common ontology. Yet it implies a set of shared skills and thinking style that make it possible to synthesize diverse knowledge sources from different disciplines and direct them toward the solution of the in situ problem.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    This statement is attributed to Ludwig Wittgenstein.

  2. 2.

    Dear is Plato, but dearest the truth.

  3. 3.

    Although the teleological explanation has gained ground in modern biological thinking (Lennox, 2000).

  4. 4.

    The readers may notice the close resemblance with the two worlds of Parmenides.

  5. 5.

    Which, in a sense, is related to Aristotle’s notion of functionality.

  6. 6.

    As happened with many original thinkers before him, the clerkdom deeply disliked Kuhn’s views, because they questioned the merit of the established framework that worked to the advantage of the ruling elites.

  7. 7.

    Paganini was a celebrated nineteenth century Italian violinist and composer, considered by many as the greatest violin virtuoso of all time.

  8. 8.

    David Hilbert recognized the importance of the Boltzmann equation and proposed a method for obtaining approximate solutions. Ergodic theory is based on Boltzmann’s statistical mechanics concepts. He anticipated Thomas Kuhn’s views on scientific revolutions. He applied Charles Darwin's theory to the evolution of the mind, anticipating certain aspects of evolutionary epistemology and the theory of science later proposed by Konrad Lorenz and Karl Popper. “In his realization of the hypothetical character of all our knowledge, Boltzmann was far ahead of his time and perhaps even our time”, said Paul Feyerabend.

  9. 9.

    Cavafy borrowed his poem’s title from Dante’s Inferno (iii, 60); the title means “Who made…the great refusal.” Cavafy deliberately omitted the words per vilta (“because of cowardice”).

  10. 10.

    Yet, one cannot blame mathematics for its inappropriate use by some people, which seems to escape Taleb's attention. As a result, his otherwise thoughtful book contains some unfair criticisms of the mathematical method.

  11. 11.

    Commonly used expression meaning “with a grain of salt.”

  12. 12.

    The term was coined by Ernst Mach at the end of the nineteenth century to describe a specific method of enquiry used by professional scientists as a mental analog to physical experimentation.

  13. 13.

    Naturally, metaphors are intimately connected with thought experiments.

  14. 14.

    “Who observes the observer?”; Satirae, VI, 347.

  15. 15.

    Some people argue that “if one tortures the data long enough it will finally confess”; which is a cute way of saying that one can prove almost anything if one massages the data long enough.

  16. 16.

    In corporate geostatistics, e.g., this code has so much distorted the cognitive abilities of its practitioners, that they seem to have self-appoint themselves the role of “Illuminati.”

  17. 17.

    It is, perhaps, a telling fact that more than half a century since its first appearance there is hardly any geostatistics department in American or European universities.

  18. 18.

    “A human being cannot live on bread alone;” Matthew 4:4.

  19. 19.

    Section 1.7.3.2 used the term “paradigm” to describe a particular way of looking at things. Scientists develop hypotheses, solve problems, and advance understanding within the specified paradigm.

  20. 20.

    “Does anyone really care?” Probably no. In the corporatism era what counts is the ability to impress your colleagues not with your research findings but with your new luxury car. At least, if the car’s technology is environment-friendly, the investment of the funding agency may not go completely astray.

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    George Christakos

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Christakos, G. (2010). Problem-Solving Revisited. In: Integrative Problem-Solving in a Time of Decadence. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-9890-0_2

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