Inquiry (RL2/PH2) & Reality
Endeavour (RH) requires Knowing (RH-L2)
is our usual touch-point for investigations, because endeavours are the modus operandi of .
are about shaping physical realities and creating psychosocial realities. We have found that endeavours are typically enabled through knowing mediated via : see more.
When we consider “knowing” or “knowledge” for endeavour, we are implicitly or explicitly taking “reality” as the object to be known. But how to be sure our of reality are likely to be correct? We could refine and optimize judgement through the use of .
Within the , some , most notably and may be presented as the royal road to knowledge. However, those methods turn out to depend on other methods like (for worthy ideas to test), (for statistical analyses) and (to resolve apparent oppositions). None of these methods can prove beyond doubt their own value and correctness without relying on , i.e. philosophical, arguments, which are themselves not watertight.
It is no surprise then that scepticism rather than belief rules in the . The motto of the venerable Royal Society in London is Nullius in verba or “take nobody’s word for it”.
Knowing or knowledge obtained via is not under social control. Any individual may investigate for themselves or inquire as appropriate to their own endeavour. However, knowledge based on formal research investigations becomes a social issue when an is formed by investigators formally associating i.e. via the .
Members of the then determine what is to be accepted and supported as potentially valid knowledge about reality. Wider society as well as members of the discipline defer to the position taken by peers when they approve or contradict the findings of a colleague.
But cannot be exclusively owned by , however much its members may claim such priority. Even within the , there is knowing that is far simpler. I am referring here to the Q-expansion that deals with “”. Here we find another set of .
Knowing to Reach a Conclusion (PH’2Q1-7)
The are found in the Q-expansion of the These Arenas cover reaching conclusions required by various Domains, like or This material is in the process of being posted in the Architecture Room, and a graphic representations is shown at right.
Knowing by using these Q-Arenas is optional because it is possible to act, study, change etc. without necessarily bothering “to know” in any systematic fashion. The relevant point is that the goal in these Arenas is not necessarily enduring knowledge, but rather knowledge relevant to current reality and embodied in a conclusion that should work for now at least.
Our inquiries suggest that reality-grounding in these systems varies greatly:
- bases itself on acceptable data taken as reflecting the likely reality.
- bases itself on research findings taken as reflecting the likely reality.
- bases itself on current possibilities taken as reflecting the likely reality.
- bases itself on available evidence taken as reflecting the likely reality
- bases itself on detailed reports taken as reflecting the likely reality.
- bases itself on necessary requirements taken as reflecting the likely reality.
- bases itself on enticing ideas taken as being realistic i.e. capable of altering existing reality to create a new reality.
Knowledge emerging from knowing in these 7 systems is a long way from , and also quite distinct from any . So this serves as another reminder that our biological make-up provides for a diverse handling of knowing and reality in everyday life.
If we raise our eyes even further from the , it becomes obvious or at least likely that knowledge of reality must become a matter for all other Domains. Each Domain drives its own specialized endeavours in varied settings, and would be expected to generate a unique perspective on reality and truth.
- Explore the nature of reality in the various Domains.
Originally posted: 15-Jul-2022. Last updated: 20-Mar-2023.