TLDR;
This video provides an introduction to research philosophy, explaining how it connects to everyday life and academic research. It covers the three worlds framework, the main areas of philosophy (metaphysics, axiology, epistemology, logic, and aesthetics), and key concepts like objectivism, subjectivism, constructionism, and relationality. The video emphasizes the importance of understanding one's own philosophical assumptions and how they influence research approaches, topics, and methodologies.
- Introduces the three worlds framework: everyday life, scientific knowledge, and meta-research.
- Explains the five main areas of philosophy: metaphysics, axiology, epistemology, logic, and aesthetics.
- Discusses key concepts in research philosophy: objectivism, subjectivism, constructionism, and relationality.
- Highlights the interconnections between personal beliefs, disciplinary fields, and research assumptions.
Introduction to Research Philosophy [0:02]
The video introduces the concept of research philosophy and its connection to everyday life and academic research. Professor Yuan Mutton's three worlds framework is presented, which includes the world of everyday life, the world of scientific knowledge and research, and the world of meta-research. The presenter suggests that these worlds are not entirely separate and uses the metaphor of a tree to illustrate how personal beliefs, knowledge, and research processes are interconnected.
The Tree of Life Metaphor [3:49]
The presenter introduces a tree metaphor to explain the research process. The root system represents religious, cultural, political beliefs, and ethics. The trunk symbolizes everyday knowledge, insight, wisdom, and experience. The branches represent the application of knowledge, such as fixing a car or giving advice. The leaves represent the techniques and tools used in these applications. This metaphor extends to academic research, where the same processes occur in a more formal, systematic, and abstract manner.
The Five Main Areas of Philosophy [5:34]
The video outlines the five main areas of philosophy: metaphysics (the study of being, including cosmology and ontology), axiology (the study of values and morals), epistemology (the study of knowledge), logic (the study of argumentation and logical thinking), and aesthetics (the study of beauty and taste). In scientific research, epistemology is central as it deals with creating and acquiring knowledge. Logic is also important due to the systematic and structured nature of scientific inquiry. Research philosophy customizes general philosophy to fit the specific needs of research.
Ontology and Axiology as the Root System [7:47]
The root system of the research tree consists of ontology and axiology. Ontology involves beliefs about the nature of reality and the existence of phenomena, such as social concepts, creations, systems, events, experiences, and behaviors. Axiology includes beliefs about values and ethics in research, such as the role of moral values, the preference for value-free or value-laden knowledge, and the influence of the researcher's values on the research process.
Epistemology as the Trunk [11:14]
Epistemology forms the trunk of the research tree, representing beliefs about knowledge. It addresses what kinds of knowledge are acceptable, reliable, and trustworthy for studying certain phenomena, as well as the limitations of knowledge. Methodology, the practical know-how of knowledge, is a part of epistemology and involves the general research approach, design, and specific methods used to collect and analyze data.
Objectivism vs. Subjectivism [13:11]
The video discusses different concepts and terminologies used to describe research beliefs. Objectivism (or realism) is the belief in a real, objective, and definitive world that exists independently of human thought. Subjectivism, relativism, or idealism, on the other hand, posits that reality resides in the minds of people and that there are multiple realities. Objectivism in axiology suggests research should be value-free, while subjectivism recognizes that knowledge is bound to human values.
Universality, Multiple Realities, and Pluriversality [15:39]
The video explains the concepts of universality, multiple realities, and pluriversality. Universality refers to a single reality or meaning. Multiple realities suggest the existence of several possible realities and truths. Pluriversality implies that many ontologies, epistemologies, and axiologies exist simultaneously and are interconnected.
Constructionism and Relationality [16:23]
Constructionism is the belief that reality is created through social interactions. Knowledge is constructed inter-subjectively and is a transactional process. Relationality, often used in Afro-centric research, emphasizes that social reality and knowledge are understood through relationships between people, living beings, and the environment. It also values relationships as the most important aspect of research, promoting respectful interaction.
Ontological and Epistemic Suppression [18:06]
The video addresses concepts related to ontological and epistemological suppression or marginalization. Terms like ontological difference, density, and inferiority are used to describe how some realities or ways of being are considered less human or inferior. Concepts like epistemic racism and the coloniality of knowledge highlight how certain forms of knowledge are suppressed and marginalized by colonialism.
Links Between Different Areas of Research Philosophy [19:41]
The video emphasizes the links between different areas of research philosophy, showing how concepts can be used to describe ontology, epistemology, axiology, and methodology. Thinking can align between these areas, such as having a realist ontology, an objectivist epistemology, and an axiology of value-free research. However, it can also be more complex, such as having a realist ontology but a constructionist epistemology.
Intertwining Personal and Research Beliefs [21:05]
The presenter explains how personal beliefs intertwine with research beliefs. For example, a personal belief about the purpose of a church can influence research ontology when studying the church as an organization. Similarly, a feminist political belief about gender equality can be both a personal and a research belief, influencing both ontological and axiological perspectives.
Philosophical Assumptions in Research [23:37]
The video explains why researchers often talk about philosophical assumptions rather than beliefs. Assumptions are things researchers assume to be true for the sake of their study, even if they don't personally believe in them. An example is given of studying stakeholder relationships using stakeholder theory, which implies that businesses aim to make money and that stakeholder relationships are instrumental to this mission. This can lead to holding both objectivist and subjectivist stances in ontological and epistemological assumptions.
Conclusion and Next Steps [25:32]
The video concludes by reiterating that research philosophy belongs to the area of epistemology, as all research is about knowledge creation. It emphasizes that expressing ontological, epistemological, axiological, and methodological beliefs or assumptions greatly influences research projects. The next tutorial will explore specific paradigmatic positions, which are combinations of different ontological, epistemological, axiological, and methodological beliefs that form frameworks for research.
