Currently the field of psychology (and probably some other social science
fields) is under the reign of numbermania. Many US psychology journals are
full with "thick numbers." Often there are very little in-depth discussions
of the patterns these numbers represent. Also, there is often a very little
attention is paid to situations when numbers are impossible due to
uniqueness and non-repetitive nature of events. In these cases, the verdict
is strict: if there are no numbers there is no science; if there is no
science, there is not phenomenon.
However, there is a new ghost looming on the horizon -- narrativomania. The
new reign promises to be more pluralistic, meaningful, and human. It
doesn't have arrogant zeal of numbermania to divide people on right and
wrong but provides basis for peaceful co-existence for different ideological
systems in science. "Each narrative has its right on existence." Nurturing
rather than competing is on the new agenda. However, as any reign
narrarivomania forces on participants to adopt its values and norms.
Take for example writing grant proposals. The paradox essence of grant
proposal was nicely capture by Plato who wrote something like that. If you
know what you are trying to find in your research -- why bother to do that
(you already know the answer)? However, if you do not know you are trying
to find in you research -- what are you trying to find? In short, grant
proposal is not a narrative but unfinished action (using Bakhtin's term).
In my view, Bakhtin ("Art and answerability") knew perfectly well the limits
to narratives and he knew that deeds (especially ethical deeds) can't be
captured adequately by narratives that have essence to perfect unfinished
actions in some gestalt. Latour ("Science in action") also knows that as he
shows double nature of science (double-faced practice) as an unfinished deed
and as a narrative. He also discusses the third face of science: metrics
and incriptions.
So as to writing grant proposal, it is much better (for $$$ outcome) to
write a nice narrative than to mumble about your
unperfected-action-in-action. Of course, after getting money, your research
won't remind your proposal but it is another "narrative"...
So, when the king of numbermania will be dead, should we claim, "Long live
the queen of narrativomania?!"
It is funny but true that we see the world through tools we use (e.g.,
numbers, narratives)...
What do you think?
Eugene
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Eugene Matusov
Willard Hall#206G
Department of Educational Studies
University of Delaware
Newark, DE 19716, USA
phone: (302) 831-1266
fax: (302) 831-4445
email: ematusov who-is-at UDel.edu
web: http://www.ematusov.com
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