Suspending assumptions

Knowledge is built upon particular assumptions. For instance, in the realm of computer programming, a bit of information cannot be at times 0.7 bit or at others 1.2 bit. In other words, a bit of information is definitive and uniform. Nonetheless, there is no such thing as a definitive property with a constant value in nature. Everything is flowing so that what appears to us to remain unchanged is actually a result of significant stochastic probability. Certain flows appear even more frequently than others within particular periods of time.

In schools and universities, we learn a lot of subjects and obtain knowledge accordingly. In addition to such abundant knowledge, it is important to learn the ways of handling assumptions on which that is built. Typically, social scientific disciplines, we cannot ignore different levels of analysis, such as micro, meso and macro. Uncritically transcending across these levels is problematic because causal relations which is valid at one level cannot automatically be valid at other levels. Different attributes can refer to the same individual actor.

​To raise awareness of hierarchical stratification in society, typically to become sensible to downward vertical imagination across different levels, we had better be trained concerning knowledge and its underlying assumptions, which I call ‘suspending assumptions’. I will ask you in the lecture series ‘Democratizing Knowledge’ relevant questions to this respect. Please get accustomed to imagining assumptions and preconditions together with understanding a variety of concepts and constructs. If possible, try to come up with questions of your interests; then, imagine how concepts and constructs can be applied to solve your questions by imagining different assumptions and preconditions. You will certainly find these practices not only helpful but also exciting so as to become willing to design your research projects!

Originally published at relationalimagination.weebly.com.