The reading for this month is now up on the MCA webpage.
Nate
http://communication.ucsd.edu/MCA/
Bruce Robinson bruce.rob@btinternet.com
Dialectics and Modelling in Information Systems
http://communication.ucsd.edu/MCA/Paper/Robinson/robinson.html
Dialectical thought is a way of understanding the world which focuses
centrally on the concepts of change, interconnection, and contradiction. The
basic principles of dialectics are explained and their relevance to
Information Systems shown by examining the consequences of a dialectical
understanding of the process of human conceptualisation for modelling and
abstraction processes. This is illustrated by reference to recognised
problems in the areas of data modelling and the proving of systems
correctness. The modelling process is described as one of dialectical
movement which transcends, yet incorporates elements of both realism and
social construction. Dialectics is further suggested to be an indispensable
element in a critical account of information systems development.
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