v Book: Bill Ross - 'Order and the Virtual'

'The Philosophy and Science of Deleuzian Cosmology'

Systemists will find much here: 'principle of least action', 'principle of least resistance', equilibrium, open / closed systems, and entropy. A useful question is posed: 'Is complexity increasing? Is that average complexity across the universe; or the complexity of the most complex object? Deleuzes's Difference and Repetition is quoted:

'The values of implication are centres of envelopment. These centres  are not the intensive individuating factors themselves, but they are their representatives within a complex whole in the process of explication. ...' (p.255-6)'

Reading this I immediately thought of Bohm, who followed shortly after (still in Chapter 1!). In chapter 1, 'Chaos' could be read as Cosmos, hence the term rolling them together - chaosmos. This is the tract from which existence and becoming arise (re-reading). Deleuze's awareness of physics and quantum theory and its influence on his work is discussed, with chapter 2 providing continuity reaching to Leibniz (and 'The Calculating God'), also contributing is 'the complete concept', 'principle of sufficient reason', 'intensive individuating factors' and 'principle of identity of indiscernibles', for example. Even while the context is metaphysics (and it is not!), (for me) this seemingly presages a comprehensive health assessment:

Order and the Virtual

'The necessity in question is the necessary inclusion of all predicates pertaining to an individual in the complete concept of that individual.' p.24.

A reason to look up Lautman's philosophy is that it - 

'... entails a dialectic; a dialectic comprised of the movement of Ideas. While a given theory may achieve the desired tractability of the paradoxical element in question, this can only be the provisional resolution of the problem. This does not imply that the paradoxical element is in itself resolved; it retains its disruptive powers, its `remainder` within the explanatory framework, which will itself once again redistribute, redeploy, in an inevitable encounter with the next explanatory framework. In this sense (a sense which Deleuze embellishes), the 'problem' and the 'solution' are profoundly different in kind to question and answer. Whereas an answer might be understood to put a question to rest, the solution cannot resolve the problem finally.'

Plato's perpetual questioning wins the day and night (that is 24 hour care). This is why, for me Hodges' model is powerful - "Nursing: Be the difference"^ - and more relevant than ever:

INDIVIDUAL

|

 INTERPERSONAL    :     SCIENCES               

HUMANISTIC --------------------------------------  MECHANISTIC      

SOCIOLOGY  :   POLITICAL 

|

GROUP

Self-Knowledge/Care Literacies Reasoning*	KNOWLEDGE - FACTS ... Self-Knowledge for Self-care
Dialectic* Guided discovery Perpetual questioning	Education Government provision Access for all Voice(s): being heard*

Ross explains that Deleuze is not limited to the realm of mathematics: 

and: 'By Ideas, we do not mean models whose mathematical entities would only be copies, but in the true Platonic Idea sense of the term, the structural schemas acccording to which effective theories are organised.'

Is the 'paradoxical agent' at work here, now a digitalized homonculus ready to preside acting as a superior dialectic that runs over the stream of conciousness? Hodges' model is a conceptual framework and ever-ready (we hope) aide-mémoire:

'Problems are always dialectical; the dialectic has no other sense, nor do problems have any other sense. What is mathematical (or physical, biological, psychical or sociological) are the solutions' (DR, 179).' (p.43).

In Hodges' model, the solutions are fixed in time, for what is (usually) an ongoing situation and context. Certain results in mathematics may be fixed, appear as a standing wave, but the flux, dyanamic remains. And, with it noise that is incessant and increasingly political.

This is a challenging, but rewarding read. 

^Have constant regard for representation, creation, being, becoming and how this affects and impacts (the) becoming.

Many thanks to Edinburgh University Press for my review copy.

More to follow here ...

Bill Ross (2024) Order and the Virtual: The Philosophy and Science of Deleuzian Cosmology. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
https://edinburghuniversitypress.com/book-order-and-the-virtual.html

Books... Bakhtin's centripetal and centrifugal forces in relationships

individual

|

INTERPERSONAL : SCIENCES

humanistic ------------------------------- mechanistic

SOCIOLOGY : POLITICAL

|

group

"Bakhtin's dialogism is theory of the contradicting process as realized in the ongoing tension between centripetal (i.e. unifying) and centrifugal (i.e., differentiating) dialectical poles. Each pole of the centripetal-centrifugal contradiction is constituted in the particulars of the situation at a given point in time. The centripetal pole consists of whatever phenomenon or quality occupies the dominant or normative position, whereas the centrifugal pole consists of whatever phenomena are subordinate, peripheral, or secondary. Substantial fluidity characterizes centripetal and centrifugal poles, in that a phenomenon that is dominant at one point in time can be subordinate or secondary at another point in time, and vice versa. Because dialogism is a general theory of sociality, rather than a context-specific theory, Bakhtin did not pursue the particular  phenomena that constitute centripetal and centrifugal forces for any specific context, including the context of personal relationships. Thus a first step in extending dialogism to personal relationships is to particularize Bakhtin's abstract centripetal contradiction." p.141.

Duck, S. (Editor) Social Context and Relationships. London: SAGE Publications, 1993.

Hodges' model - as 'a' philosophy c/o TPM

As much as I might like, or aspire to write, this is not a treatise on Hodges' model as a philosophy. Anyway: why limit ourselves to one 'philosophy', when several might apply, or at least be found?

Other TPM articles within the 50 new ideas issue point to Hodges' model (of course 😉).

Philosophy itself may benefit. Philosophy is "the love of wisdom". While there are dangers in siloed kowledge and the thought that put it there, what is classed as wise across the domains of Hodges' model in a given context? Contexts change, but how can philosophical reasoning help us 'keep our options open'? Or is the situation and context 'closed'? 

Again much as I might like, in response to Benatar's Forsaking wisdom (pp.23-24) I'm not trying to clever - even my sense of humour does not extend that far. We do want to apply Hodges' model  practically. Maybe disciplines exist in a perennial state of self-doubt? Peter Boghossian discusses Philosophy that matters (pp.29-30). Nursing is no exception being challenged still regards its professional and academic identity. In mental health nursing there are concerns about the field as a specialty being genericised. The nursing discipline for which identity and meaning is key finds its own identity challenged. Helen De Cruz writes of The Philosopher's rut (pp.41-42). A contributing factor is the tendency in philosophical debates to be dominated by two-well-outlined opposing positions. This framing can stifle exploration, and yet in Hodges' model with oppositions built-in the model as a whole provides conceptual escape; a series of conceptual spaces to explore. 

Hodges' model can help postpone what De Cruz refers to as cognitive closure, another reason for the philosopher's rut. We tend, psychologically to draw quick conclusions such that we are averse to ambiguity. This may be innate to a degree, as seen in 'black and white' thinking. Ironically, for me with Hodges' model is the counterposition of reflection as navel-gazing, resulting in too many options, and no decision at all.  

With the self, I, individual appearing to take a prime position in Hodges' model, Michael Cholbi reminds us of the philosophical significance and history of self-knowledge (pp.35-36). Student nurses need to acquire sufficient substantial self-knowledge to be safe, effective, competent, satisfied and lifelong learning practitioners. In another issue 98 4th Quarter 2022, Jonathan Matheson asks Why Think for Yourself (pp. 26-32), is there a rationale in intellectual autonomy and love of truth? You can exercise your intellectual autonomy and make it collaborative, by deciding on the port of entry to Hodges' model. This is a determinant in terms of the context, the situation that prompts you reach for the model in the first place. 

me - you INDIVIDUAL - the few
  |

     INTERPERSONAL    :     SCIENCES               

HUMANISTIC --------------------------------------  MECHANISTIC      

SOCIOLOGY  :   POLITICAL 

|

others - GROUP - many

inherent philosophy in Hodges' model the mind - my mind Personal identity epistemology ontology - being - identity my - beliefs - (yours) abstraction logic - mathematics concept of opposition^ opposition of concepts^ representation of -isms ethics - moral reasoning values - value unconditional positive regard	physicality - materialism the brain - my brain - body Organic identity implicit binary structure superimposed relations vectors coding and classification language corpora reality as orientation: (e.g., what three things do we need to know?) personalised medicine ('up here') professional scope - curricula silos of knowledge scientific method/methodologies
language - semantics - meaning dialectics 'other minds' practical reasoning applied philosophy individual-collective debate: utilitarian principles social philosophy socialisation of learners (professions) conformance - group think	health in politics politics in health human rights the unborn - future humans protected human characteristics diametrical oppositions in Hodges' model (e.g., 1. my mental state - mental health law; 2. public understanding - of science; 3. my freedom - the law. 4. culture - (techno-culture!) - science...) power - freedom political philosophy

In John Corvino's Applied philosophy out of the closet (pp.39-40), I'm not sure if it was Martha Nussbaum who stressed the need for philosophy to be practical. Is this the same as applied? I note her work on capabilities. Hodges' model seeks to reduce the gap between the learning involved in (between - hence bridging) theory and practice - to achieve competencies. For the future of (Brian) Hodges' model this matters, as I understand that efforts are ongoing to apply category theory to the social sciences. It is a pragmatic conceptual structure. To return to identity, A M Ferner tackles (literally?) Organic identity (pp.49-50); while Kerrie Grain takes on what is next-door in Hodges' model - Personal identity (pp. 51-52). As I continue to sort papers, journals and books there is more to follow. 

The Philosopher's Magazine, "50 New Ideas", 1st Quarter 2016. Issue 72. pp.20-120.

TPM #72 cover image: https://ericthomasweber.org/correcting-political-correctness/

^Ack.

Needham, R. (1987). Counterpoints. Berkeley: University of California Press.

(Looking f/w - I think - to chapters 7-8. With specific post(s) to follow.)

The social function of memory - and of forgetting

"The social function of memory - and of forgetting - can thus be seen as  the final stage of what may be called homeostatic organization of the cultural tradition in non-literate society. The language is developed in intimate association with the experience of the community, and it is learned by the individual in face-to-face contact with the other members. What continues to be of social relevance is stored in the memory while the rest is usually forgotten: and language - primarily - vocabulary - is the effective medium of this crucial process of social digestion and elimination which may be regarded as analogous to the homeostatic organization of the human body by means of which it attempts to maintain its present condition of life." pp.30-31. 

INDIVIDUAL
|
INTERPERSONAL    :     SCIENCES              
HUMANISTIC --------------------------------------  MECHANISTIC
SOCIOLOGY :   POLITICAL
|
GROUP

individual memory forgetting (salience) learner - literacy writing - reading books truth via dialectic soul of the learner	function speech - writing digestion / elimination [anatomy & physiology] homeostasis - body - life
community language - oral society social function of memory culture social digestion & elimination homeostasis	organisational memory power specious sense of knowledge

Literacy in Traditional Societies

"The emphasis on memory, the repository of the cultural tradition in oral society, is significant; and it is appropriate that Socrates should deliver his attack on writing in the form of a fable or myth, in a distinctively oral and non-logical mode of discourse (Notopoulos 1938: 465-93). The ensuing discussion, and several other discussions, of which the most important occurs in the Seventh Letter, make clear that the objections to writing are two-fold: it is inherently shallow in its effects; and the essential principles of truth can only be arrived at dialectically.

Writing is shallow in its effects because reading books may give a specious sense of knowledge, which in reality can only be attained by oral question and answer; and such knowledge in any case only goes deep when it 'is written in the soul of the learner' (Phaedrus, 276a)." p.50.

 

Goody, J. (1968) Literacy in Traditional Societies, Cambridge: CUP.

See also: "Life, Literacy, Oppositions, Complexity and Information"

Life, Literacy, Oppositions, Complexity and Information

Literacy in Traditional Societies

"Durkheim's work on primitive classification is being applied to societies within the orbit of major civilizations. The polarities and oppositions of la pensée sauvage turn up in ancient Greece, and tools developed in the study of the narratives of American societies are applied to the Oedipus story, the Book of Genesis and even contemporary literature, with little sense of the basic incongruity involved.

Polarities of some sort are of course present in all societies; their significance, however, varies widely. Aristotle describes one Pythagorean theory in the following terms:

 

Others of this same school say that there are ten principles, which they arrange in ten columns, namely:

limit unlimited
odd even
one plurality
right left
male female
at rest moving
straight crooked
light darkness
good bad
square oblong

. . . How these principles maybe brought into line with the causes we have mentioned is not clearly explained to them [quoted Guthrie 1962: 1, 245]."

Goody, J. (1968) Literacy in Traditional Societies, Cambridge: CUP. pp.10-11.


Taking each of these in-turn as may relate to Hodges' model (I may update/edit these):

limit  unlimited

As a template the model invites both a limit (boundaries) and some-thing unlimited.

odd  even

There is a symmetry - evenness to the model, but the invitation noted above is also a prospect for odd-ness. This may extend to the frustration experienced when a phenomena, account (patient's narrative . . .) defies explanation and classification.

one  plurality

This polarity is key in Hodges' model. 'One' refers to the person, patient, carer, any - individual who the model is applied to. In respect of plurality this can include the dyad of patient - nurse, couple, family, team, community, national or global population (and Biosphere).

 

right  left
 

The horizontal axis is not the last word in Hodges' model, as intra-domain we also find right and left. Of course, the vertical axis (indeed, the whole model if required?) can also be repeated in a domain.

 

male  female

 

You quickly recognise the potential for disagreement* which is fundamental in dichotomous situations, a point further reinforced below.

at rest  moving

 

The model is 'at rest' as a snap-shot, but as a frame it can represent the change over time and so has its own dynamic potential.

 

straight  crooked

 

The axes as continua are 'straight' but this distinction (as noted above) has distinct psycho-socio-political connotations. In the model, line-of-sight is acknowledged, while 'crooked' might suggest what is uncertain, and unseen?

 

light  darkness & good  bad

 

Again, these two oppositions seem 'loaded': especially socially - politically.

Tread carefully. If you have light, that's good, but if lost: bad.

 

square  oblong

 

Viewed as containers, or sets the model's domains can be represented as several shapes, as long as the axes are retained as part of the structure. The adopted rectilinear form is an affordance of the (underlying) HTML, and the traditional (paper-based) tabular format. From the domains being of equal area, the point where the axes intersect could be shifted, such that a single domain is enlarged (prioritised?), at the expense of another.

*Incredible harmony too!

Then prior to an anticipated move, and sorting through books and papers:

Complexity:
Life on the edge of chaos

“The discovery that universal computation is poised between order and chaos in dynamical systems was important in itself, with its analogies to phase transitions in the physical world. It would be interesting enough if adaptive complex systems inescapably were located at the edge of chaos, the place of maximum capacity for information computation. The world could then be seen to be exploiting the creative dynamics of complex systems, but with no choice in the matter. But what if such systems actually got themselves to the edge of chaos, moved in parameter space to the place of maximum information processing?” p.54.

Lewin, R. (1993) Complexity: Life on the edge of chaos. London: Phoenix.

The conclusion? 

Perhaps, the ubiquity of polarity, opposition and dichotomy is that they anticipate and presage an increase in information processing (for good or ill: there we go again!). 

This is also a ( the ) function of Hodges' model.

Previously:

Opposition  . . . See also - Polarity , Dichotomy , Literacy . . .

"In all flat maps (and I am one)" - Donne

'Discordia concors' - 'Concordia discors' ... plus ... 'Site map'*

"Drawing both on the medieval Mappae mundi and the Ptolemaic tradition revived in the Renaissance, the recurrent cartographic motif in John Donne’s poetry well reflects the preoccupations of a revolutionary period in the history of Western cartography. Yet, for all its cosmic magnitude, Donne’s poems, both holy and secular, are turned, not so much towards an exploration of the world as towards an exploration of the Self as the ultimate object of reflection." [Abstract].

Ladan Niayesh, ““All flat maps, and I am one”: Cartographic References in the Poems of John Donne”, Études Épistémè [Online], 10 | 2006, Online since 01 October 2006, connection on 22 February 2023. URL: http://journals.openedition.org/episteme/955; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4000/episteme.955

 INDIVIDUAL

|

 INTERPERSONAL    :     SCIENCES               

HUMANISTIC --------------------------------------  MECHANISTIC   

SOCIOLOGY  :   POLITICAL 

|

GROUP

"Let us take as a first example one of the last poems written by Donne, "Hymn to God my God, in my Sickness", composed either during one of the poet’s serious illnesses in 1623 or alternatively shortly before his death in 1631 ..."

"... Here the poet compares himself, as he lies on his sick-bed, or possibly his death bed, to a flat geographical map studied by his physicians who are compared to cartographers: "my physicians by their love are grown / Cosmographers, and I their map, who lie / Flat on this bed" (ll. 6-8), and later "In all flat maps (and I am one)" (ll. 14)."

The global Psycho-Social-Geo-Political legacies and future?

"Yet for all its symbolic Noachid and Christian background, Donne’s cartographic imagery has room for the latest scientific contributions. Newly discovered territories are directly named here: "is the Pacific Sea my home?" (l. 16), "Anyan, and Magellan, and Gibraltar" (l. 18). And if this metaphorical map is a flat one — "In all flat maps (and I am one)" — it is solely for the sake of commodity, as this flat shape actually stands for an acknowledged and accepted spherical reality: "west and east / In all flat maps (...) are one" (ll. 13-14)."

*I found some irony in 'site map' being the final map on the journal's webpage.

Sources:
 

London July 2022 Foyles, Waterstones and other bookshops:
Super-Infinite: The Transformations of John Donne (Hardback)

https://www.faber.co.uk/product/9780571345915-super-infinite/

BBC Radio 4 Super-Infinite by Katherine Rundell [Episode 3]

Previously on W2tQ: 'maps'

Philosophy in Pubs - Liverpool Weds 25th Jan 7.30pm

Subscribed to Philosophy in Pubs for many years, I've posted to the list also in the distant past, but I've never attended a meeting. This past week I noticed a message about a new subgroup - Young Philosophers - in Liverpool from Mike (phone numbers removed). Below, I've posted some of the online chat:

On Saturday, 14 January 2023 at 14:38:50 GMT, <info AT philosophyinpubs.co.uk> wrote:

Hi everybody,

 

Its Mike from the Keith's PIP and the young philosophers group.
I am currently re-launching the latter as a new PIP group at
Thomas Rigby's in town (23-25 Dale St, Liverpool L2 2EZ)

 

The first meeting of the Philosophy group will be
Wednesday evening the 25th January at 7.30pm.

Please come along, all welcome, all ages.

 

If you need anymore  information, please email me (email below) or call me on ...

 

Thanks

Mike Green.

michaelljohngreen AT gmail.com 

This piqued my interest, given my love of Liverpool (born in Walton) and the question of at what age can younger people - children be introduced to Hodges' model?

I replied expressing interest in the possibility of contributing, once the group is established, or as a 'starter for 10', seeking critique as to what sense young philosophers would make of the model.

Responding with an introduction to Hodges' model, and expression of interest, Paul and Rob replied as per below, to which I've tried to add some clarification.

Rob's thoughts are very helpful. The upshot is, I'm looking f/w to a full day in Liverpool this Wednesday, meeting Mike, Paul, Rob and possibly others before the meeting starts at 7.30pm.

Paul's message (intended for me):

info AT philosophyinpubs.co.uk
Sunday, 15 January 2023 at 13:00:12 GMT
Subject: Re: New PIP group!

Hi Mike, Peter

Yes, you seem to be part of quite a sizeable group of people on our general members/mailing list that have not gotten round to attending one of the groups yet. But that's okay, absolutely no need for apologies, your interest is appreciated anyway.

I've had a quick glance at your attachments; found what I read very interesting and would like to know more. I don't think I've heard of the Hodges' model, or at least not in relation to what we generally practice (Community of Enquiry method).

It's great that you would like to contribute or provide a session regarding the Hodges' model, but I'm not sure if doing that would fit well with this particular opening meeting of a new PIP group. Having said that, I could be very mistaken, and an introduction in the manner you mention, might be a great way to get people thinking and herald a fruitful meeting. The meeting is due to start at 7.30pm - (meetings usually take one and a half to two hours), but if you like I could meet you there half an hour earlier. Let me know.

We have something called the Enquiry Development Series (EDS) running at the moment. It's a monthly Online event which is run for PIP members and others to learn/refresh their undertanding and practices. You would be most welcome to attend.

Best regards,

Paul ...

PS: I have cc'd some members of the EDS in with this reply.

From Rob:

On 2023-01-16 12:44, fappyhealing02 AT yahoo.co.uk wrote:

Hi Everyone,

From my very limited reading on Hodge's model. It seems to be concerned with very similar issues to those of PIPs and the CofE community, which is an expression of prior analysis, critique and reflection coming from people like Dewey, Postman, Freire, Lipman and so on. I have a basic grasp of the model as a conceptual framework and a means to better care and understanding across society. What I don't seem to have picked up so much is a more fully developed methodology rooted in practice and realisation of these ideas.

This leads me wonder whether this model/framework is mainly conceptual, with limited  methodological guidance towards how the ideas in the framework are to be expressed and realised. PIPs is at the stage where it has a very successful methodology which realises and expresses in practice the ideas that Hodge points to, along with the philosophy of education eluded to earlier and various other frameworks such as the Paul and Elder model of critical thinking.

So, we have the history and philosophical education from Socrates onwards, the comes a distillation of these ideas into a framework or model, which is where we find Piaget, Bloom, Paul and Elder, along with Hodge and others. These models then have to be cashed out in practice. At this point, we are now thinking about methodology, there is of course connection, influence and overlap with the history, philosophy and subsequent frameworks. Methodologies vary from being barely formed to being well formed and robust. I would say PIPs and CofE have a well formed and somewhat robust methodological practice. It has been well tested and critiqued for over 40 years in different countries, communities and contexts. It has stood the test of time with a good pedigree. Matt Lipman was a key figure in developing a methodology out of his research into philosophy of education and various frameworks/models. However the methodology he produced to deliver in practice was something of a prototype rather than the more fully formed, finished article. Through time and careful reflection people like R Sutcliffe and Karin Muris took Lipman's methods improved and polished them into the practice we see and use 40 years later. This is of course still developing along democratic and dialogic lines.

In the case of Edward De Bonno, Paul and Elder, Illich and Dewey we find some powerful insights, some partially formed models and some fully formed models but not that much guidance on how to implement these ideas. Yes, they provide some ideas and pointers on how to go about the realisation of these things in practice but methodology on the whole is pretty sparse. I guess it's a case of focussing on a specific group of concerns comes at the cost of other concerns, though, I don't want to take this too far and slip into zero-sum thinking. Anyway, based on limited understandings I'd provisionally put Hodge in this category of well formed model, limited methodology in terms of the nuts and bolts of how to best realise the model in practice.

Questions I'm left with:

Is the distinction between model and methodology a significant and useful one here - why? Yes/No, because...?

Given our current point of development and understanding, by doing what we do, are we already cashing out a good deal of the key ideas in Hodge's model?

Could we just clarify what Hodge's model is a model of?

Do I need some help in understanding Hodge better in terms of both 'model' and 'methodology'?

This isn't to say we should not draw inspiration and ideas or take time to explore and experiment with Hodge's model, just that I need to be clearer about what it is, what it's trying to do, how it is going to do it. Once more secure with this, I feel I'd be in a better position to make more competent judgements and recommendations about its uses and benefits.

Best wishes,

Rob

My reply:

Subject: Re: New PIP group!

Thanks for the messages - just caught up I think...

I wondered originally Mike - about your young philosopher's group and once established asking the group the questions that Rob has posed and responded to.

I'm seeking critique, not proposing that Hodges' model is adopted by PIP.

The questions posed by the model - might gainfully exercise younger minds, and provide me with some pointers - which I would make clear (from ethics / consent perspective).

I greatly appreciate Rob's thoughts*.

A question I have educationally is from what age (literacy level) which Hodges' model #h2cm might be taught (discovered?).

I'd be pleased to come through on the 25th Mike and Paul, arriving a bit earlier.

I'll get to Liverpool early a.m. train and make a day of it.

As per Rob, I'm still asking these questions of the model and enjoying the journey ... so, briefly in response:

There is no methodology associated with the model, it is 'agnostic' (whatever that means).

The model is situated - so clinically, the way the model is used is influenced by the patient, client, carer, student, manager ...

The model can provide a relational ontology - it incorporates several polarities, dichotomies, oppositions and instrumentally can facilitate dialectic engagement.

It can be applied (imho) for a variety of research and philosophical stances, standpoints - Qual , Quant, Mixed-methods ... all the -isms?

As you will no doubt appreciate, in education and health care (especially) we need *evidence-based* interventions.

In seeking possible theoretical underpinnings for #h2cm think (as Rob suggests) of the model as a giant conceptual corpus (drawing from Tim Berners-Lee's giant global graph).

The axes of the model represent the (conceptual) holistic bandwidth of the situation.

The model can wax and wane as per the context (scale, scope). In a reductive sense I see the four (care) knowledge domains as four 'conceptual spaces' (Gärdenfors).

h2cm can also find a 'home' in the semantic web and in education - the idea of 'threshold concepts' (Meyer and Land).

There is another tool, but this calls for a logician - if not a totally erroneous idea?

[ Note diametric oppositions in the model: e.g.

• public understanding of science;
• the extent of visualization in the humanities;
• mental health (the self) and the State (politics, law) current Psycho-Economic crisis. ]

*ROB - and all - I'd be pleased to post your thoughts / response on the blog, if this is appropriate with links and text on PIPs.

I hope this helps and look f/w to next week - thanks for your interest too.

Best to all.

Peter

====

Clearly not the last word. Look f/w to Wednesday and learning more.

Occam's razor (i)

"2. The virus of encyclopedism in definitions should be
recognized and resisted. There is a role and a place for
illustrative detail, but that role and place is not in a
definition. Social science is content to tolerate excep-
tions to its theories—it is satisfied with explanations
covering most cases, not each and every one. In the
definition of strategic concepts, more detail inevitably
promotes less clarity and therefore less understanding.
William of Occam should be regarded as the patron
saint of wordsmithing for strategic conceptualization.

3. Ideas matter: Concepts for theory have practical
consequences. The way in which we behave strategi-
cally is not dictated strictly by the way in which we
conceptualize its challenges and intellectually order
our possible responses, but our concepts educate our
perception and interpretation of events, and they find
expression in the doctrine that shapes our behavior.52
Of course, strategic behavior should be adaptable to
unanticipated events, but frequently it is not. Strategic
and military culture can and does change, but at any
one time it is going to help mold action now in ways
organized doctrinally in the light shed by authorita-
tive strategy concepts." (p.46).

 
Gray, C. S. (2012). CATEGORICAL CONFUSION?: THE STRATEGIC IMPLICATIONS OF RECOGNIZING CHALLENGES EITHER AS IRREGULAR OR TRADITIONAL. Strategic Studies Institute, US Army War College. http://www.jstor.org/stable/resrep11257

'Clean tools' - fit for Conceptual Engineering?

Posting previously news of a conference on 'Conceptual Engineering' I was drawn and try to follow the following series:

Conceptual Engineering Seminar | Simon Blackburn (Cambridge): TBA 

March 30 @ 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm 

ABSTRACT. — When I hit upon the term ‘conceptual engineering’ in the Introduction to my book Think, I suppose I thought of it as simply a cute way of introducing what philosophers do. I had no idea that the term had already been used, although I have subsequently learned that it was. I have therefore been surprised that books and seminars have subsequently been devoted to the idea: it is as if books and seminars were simply entitled ‘Philosophy’ rather than directed at particular problems within philosophy. In my talk I hope to go further into that and try to understand why it happened. 

Yesterday, Simon Blackburn cited Austin (1956) and the need for 'clean tools', which led me to the following source*:

"First, words are our tools, and, as a minimum, we should use clean tools: we should know what we mean and what we do not, and we must forearm ourselves against the traps that language sets us. Secondly, words are not (except in their own little corner*) facts or things: we need therefore to prise them off the world, to hold them apart from and against it, so that we can realise their inadequacies and arbitrarinesses, and can re-look at the world without blinkers. Thirdly, and more hopefully, our common stock of words embodies all the distinctions men have found worth drawing, and the connexions they have found worth marking, in the lifetimes of many generations: these surely are likely to be more numerous, more sound, since they have stood up to the long test of the survival of the fittest, and more subtle, at least in all ordinary and reasonably practical matters, than any that you or I are likely to think up in our armchairs of an afternoon - the most favoured alternative method."

*my emphasis

Simon's talk of 'clean tools' prompted me to reflect:

The assumed neutrality of Hodges' model. As noted on W2tQ previously, Hodges' model is an invitation to start with a new slate. To leave behind bias and prejudice, to assure unconditional positive regard and a non-judgmental approach and attitude.

'Engineering' is usually conducted within a dedicated physical space. Apprentices will soon be familiar with the discipline of leaving the work environment clean and prepared for the next day. They will learn that tools have their place (even on the screen). Tools themselves also need care; so don't be care-less.

If Occam's razor is a preparatory rule for conceptual hygiene, perhaps we can take this further, or at least propose an addition? There is a 'rule of forceps' (which, it might be argued, is person-centred, or clearly patient-centred?) but not only are forceps a tool, we can utilise a divider too.

In use, Hodges' model suggests and facilitates dichotomous thinking. The forceps may help grasp the the key parts - the polarities of a situation. The divider may serve to help us to weigh and measure the 'distance' of two concepts, especially if they seem to be grounded across two of the model's care (knowledge) domains.

So Hodges' model may have a role in 'conceptual engineering', variously as a dialectic divider or dialectical forceps?

Austin, J. (1956). A Plea for Excuses: The Presidential Address. Proceedings of the Aristotelian Society, 57, new series, 1-30. Retrieved March 30, 2021, from http://www.jstor.org/stable/4544570Austin, J. (1956). A Plea for Excuses: The Presidential Address. Proceedings of the Aristotelian Society, 57, new series, 1-30. Retrieved March 30, 2021, from http://www.jstor.org/stable/4544570

There is a legal case of historic interest also described in the Austin's paper.

Book review: "The Power of the 2 x 2 Matrix" iii

Business and healthcare share an ongoing fascination with integration. A several decades long preoccupation, I now see as a legacy issue. One, that is set to continue: a clear objective but  tantalizingly always out of reach.

Not that I'm drawn to figures, but there's a double helix (figure 2.4, p.33) to illustrate the distinctions and dependencies that operate between:

INTEGRAL and MODULAR

products

VERTICAL and HORIZONTAL

industry

Pressure to 

DISINTEGRATE - INTEGRATE

Hopefully, you can see what is going on here - the attraction, the fit? Chapter 2 on Form, Method and Mastery presents the foundations of what is to follow, with chapter 3 on the Eight Archetypal Dilemmas. While the context is business the insights here are applicable generally:

Head - Heart*

Inside - Outside

Product - Market

Change - Stability

Content - Process

As in Hodges' model, a situated perspective is called for and in designing 2x2 matrices the author's outline individual and group activities. Their step 3, 'Catalogue' - creating an inventory of interesting and important aspects of the situation is mirrored in Hodges' model - care concepts, patient or carer priorities - and general problem solving. A key difference in the business context is that the quadrants are not pre-defined but must be 'Named'. The critical question, Lowy and Hood write (p.68), is proof: "Are there four real quadrants?"

The Power of the 2 x 2 Matrix

A 'good' book makes / helps you think. In prompting the next blog post this is proof for me of a good book.

More to follow ('care architecture'?) ...

Here are the previous posts:

Q. What is Hodges' model? A. It is NOT a 2x2 matrix

Book review: "The Power of the 2 x 2 Matrix" i

 
Book review: "The Power of the 2 x 2 Matrix" ii

Book review: "The Power of the 2 x 2 Matrix" iii

 

Alex Lowy, Phil Hood (2004) The Power of the 2 x 2 Matrix: Using 2 x 2 Thinking to Solve Business Problems and Make Better Decisions, San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. ISBN: 978-1-118-00879-9

With many thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

*See also:

https://twitter.com/h2cm/status/1321177843863375883?s=20

Book review: "The Power of the 2 x 2 Matrix" ii

The Power of the 2 x 2 Matrix

 

Once again I will start by referring to a previous post:

Q. What is Hodges' model? A. It is NOT a 2x2 matrix.

 

The structure of Hodges' model, the two axes immediately suggests opposition, dichotomy and thoughts of polarities. 

 

Page 30, table 2.2 Principles of 2 x 2 Mastery, includes:

"Opposition: 

Opposition between forces is either direct or complementary. Direct opposition is Hot versus Cold or On versus Off. Complementary opposition is Size versus Speed or Growth versus Profit. Recognize the nature of opposition, and work with it." p.30.

Of the others, the creative tension in health is manifold. Out of a professional foundation comes the therapeutic relationship nurse - patient and then the tension of trying to provide person-centred care that also has integrity in having the courage to advocate or engage independent advocacy and address the political issues that may (will) arise. Iteration here is a gift in that Hodges' model is situated and can address the multiplicity of contexts that are encountered in health, education and business too. Iteration for me implies travel, movement between the domains in search of a new perspective, (ad-)vantage point. Combined with integrity, this can mean going were you are not necessarily comfortable and perhaps seeking help. I like transcendence a great deal as it refers to "Learning requires unlearning". This points to the outcomes of interventions and application of knowledge, skills supported by Hodges' model with positive change. Transcendence can encompass liminality as described in therapy and education - threshold concepts in particular.

If you seek proof of complexity in healthcare, nursing and medicine look no further than a business book. The book is a marvellous reference text on 2x2 frameworks. In the introduction the authors stress the work is not intended to be read cover to cover. Business readers will be drawn to specific types of framework. Well referenced and researched the index is also comprehensive (with one framework missing (of course!). As the year of publication indicates the references and business examples that are outlined are dated, but they still deliver in readable and meaningful terms the utility of the framework described.

The layout and organisation of the chapters retains a 'current' appeal. I mention proof of complexity after reading:

 "Strategy is the art and science of competing more effectively than one's competitors." p.91.

In healthcare the 'competitors' may be the patients themselves (self-stigmatising, fearing the future, helplessness, hopelessness, fatigue). Competition may lie in other agencies depending on the politics of local health care delivery. Some may argue that the commodification of health is a creative tension not a political one. Also in the sense that 'we' are duty bound to heal, cure, treat you and have you care for yourself in future. Art and science are needed in print and book-loads at present as COVID-19 pushes out other diseases, illnesses that patients and families still face.

More to follow ...

 

Book review: "The Power of the 2 x 2 Matrix" i

Alex Lowy, Phil Hood (2004) The Power of the 2 x 2 Matrix: Using 2 x 2 Thinking to Solve Business Problems and Make Better Decisions, San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass ISBN: 978-1-118-00879-9

With many thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Book review: "The Power of the 2 x 2 Matrix"

I'll start this post as I did a previous one on this book:

Q. What is Hodges' model? A. It is NOT a 2x2 matrix.

Regular visitors / readers of W2tQ will be familiar with this rendering of Hodges' model:

 

individual

|

INTERPERSONAL : SCIENCES

humanistic ----------------------------------------------- mechanistic

SOCIOLOGY : POLITICAL

|

group - population

The separation of axes and domains above is contrived to overcome some of the limitations of HTML.

An image can re-solve and integrate to show the model as intended: two axis that intersect that then gives rise to four quadrants, or that can be described as care, or knowledge domains:

Hodges' model: The axes and domains

There's another answer to the question posed above.

I was wrong AND right.

Hodges' model is not a 2x2 matrix as per the many established and very powerful examples described in Lowy and Hood's book, The Power of the 2x2 Matrix. 

It is a 2x2 matrix as I have often explained to people. I have also stressed the model's generic status, so while Hodges' model can be used in a business context, this merely highlights the model's generic potential and its situatedness.

In numerous workshops I've adopted a Socratic approach. The audience 'formulate' Hodges' model from the questions they are asked. 

The word instrument conjures ambivalence for me. Who wants to be an instrument of the State - and yet we all are? Have I been championing, advocating for what is an instrument for the past three decades and more? Do I trust the instruments? While instruments are probably associated with the sciences and mechanism (whether analogue or digital) Hodges' model is an instrument for dialectical method.

 "When Plato described Socrates' logic as dialectical, he was referring to the intensely honest and courageous investigations of important subjects, including or perhaps especially, the self and reality. The Socratic method as used by to adroitly elicit curiosity and promote learning is the practical application of this form of dialectic." pp.26-27.

"From the Greek dialektikḗ, the origin of the term dialectic is literally the art of (techne) of philosophical discussion. ... The dialectical perspective pushes us to search for meaning beyond the level of obvious, visible evidence, focusing on the dynamic relationship between things and how they evolve. The benefits for problem solving and design are significant. Dialectical thinkers are better and faster at framing, exploring, and resolving problems. Dialectical thinkers are able to wend their way through complex and difficult challenges because they are less likely to ignore messages that trouble them." pp.24-25.

 

INTRA- INTERPERSONAL	SCIENCES
SOCIOLOGY	POLITICAL

 

More to follow ...

Alex Lowy, Phil Hood (2004) The Power of the 2 x 2 Matrix: Using 2 x 2 Thinking to Solve Business Problems and Make Better Decisions, San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass ISBN: 978-1-118-00879-9

With many thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Q. What is Hodges' model? A. It is NOT a 2x2 matrix.

Regular visitors / readers of W2tQ will be familiar with this rendering of Hodges' model:

 

individual

|

INTERPERSONAL : SCIENCES

humanistic ----------------------------------------------- mechanistic

SOCIOLOGY : POLITICAL

|

group - population

The separation of axes and domains above is contrived to overcome some of the limitations of HTML.

An image can re-solve and integrate to show the model as intended:

Hodges' model: The axes and domains

 

 Moving on to read and review Lowy and Hood's book on The Power of the 2x2 Matrix two chapters in there are already (yet again) rich rewards and two questions I ask myself...

1. On their own what exactly are the axes? 

 

 

individual

|

INTERPERSONAL : SCIENCES

humanistic ----------------------------------------------- mechanistic

SOCIOLOGY : POLITICAL

|

group - population

 

2. The same question can be asked of the care (knowledge) domains as labelled: what are they? 

 

INTRA- INTERPERSONAL	SCIENCES
SOCIOLOGY	POLITICAL

 

More to follow ...

Alex Lowy, Phil Hood (2004) The Power of the 2 x 2 Matrix: Using 2 x 2 Thinking to Solve Business Problems and Make Better Decisions, San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass ISBN: 978-1-118-00879-9

 

c/o BBC R4: The Listening Project

individual

|

INTERPERSONAL : SCIENCES

humanistic --------------------------------------- mechanistic

SOCIOLOGY : POLITICAL

|

group

The Listening...	Project

BBC Radio 4: The Listening Project

Dialectics in therapy, case formulation, h2cm and a tree

Kuyken et al. (2009) propose three dialectics that are useful in an evaluation of their model for case conceptualization, these are:

Released today - 28th Jan 2013

nomothetic – idiopathic; 
simple – complex; 
and subjective – objective.

This act of identifying polarities can be described as a diagrammatic formulation in itself.

These dialectics and many others can be readily incorporated into h2cm: for example;

socio – technical,
macro – micro.
...

Kuyken, W., Padesky, C., Dudley, R. (2009). Collaborative case conceptualization. New York, The Guilford Press.

h2cm: philosophy of science - analytical AND dialectical Refinetti, R. (1989).

"For centuries, philosophers have discussed whether knowledge progresses analytically or dialectically. In the Cartesian tradition of starting with simple concepts and then building up more complex concepts [4], the idea of science as a gradual accumulation of small pieces of knowledge was put forward by Auguste Comte [5]. This constitutes an analytical view of the progress of knowledge. On the other hand, Hegel proposed that knowledge grows as a whole, so that contradictions between opposing ideas are solved (and disperse pieces of knowledge are integrated) at each stage of the dialectical progress of knowledge [6]. This constitutes a dialectical view of the progress of knowledge.

The partial correctness of both the analytical view of Comte and the dialectical view of Hegel have been acknowledged for many years. Wisdom from both views can be found in the writings of many contemporary philosophers of science." Refinetti, R. (1989) p.583.

.... and can also be found within the structure and potential content of the Health Care Domains Model. Goethe in his own way(s) of seeing recognised the same...


Refinetti, R. (1989). Information processing as a central issue in philosophy of science, Information Processing & Management, 25, 5, 583-584.