Socratic+Discussion+on+Paradigms+in+the+Human+Sciences

Back to Home>Back to Evidence and Certainty In order to better examine the necessity of consensus to make knowledge claims, we are going to focus our discussions in the Human Sciences, around the question: //To what extent do the paradigms of the Human Sciences help or hinder our understanding?//
 * Instructions:**

It is not uncommon for very different approaches to coexist within a single human science (for example, classical versus Keynesian versus Marxist economics, or psychodynamic versus behaviourist versus humanistic approaches in psychology). If two competing paradigms give different explanations of a phenomenon, how can we decide which is correct? Do we need to reach a universal consensus or do only some of us need to agree to make valid knowledge claims? If evidence can be interpreted to support different paradigms, how are able to discern which claims are valid and which are not?

To prepare for the discussion you should review your notes from the double lesson to construct a page of talking points that you would like to interject into this discussion. Your points should be reinforced with specific examples and references to where you found your information. You will be assessed on the content of your ideas, the strength of your arguments and you adherence to the format and procedures of the Socratic Discussion. Your preparation sheet will be collected at the end of the lesson, so you must print it before coming to class.