What the prophet and the philosopher told their nations: A multi‐modal systems view of norms and civilisation

• It is argued that contemporary systems scientists should follow the practices of ancient philosophers & prophets & determine how modern social institutions can be reconstructed. Herman Dooyeweerd's (1958, 1976) classification of modalities is employed to establish a multimodal systems map that includes an epistemic modality; this system is applied to the study of decadence in modern society. It is contended that the repudiation of the normative order of the modalities by science has effected an intellectual void; moreover, by rendering science subservient to industrial interests through the distribution of funding, national governments have effectively industrialized scientific research. A review of the ancient philosophies/prophecies of Augustine, Jeremiah, & Socrates emphasizes their collective placement of righteousness as embodied within social justice; further, since ancient philosophers privileged devotion to God, the secularization of the modern scientific community is lamented. It is concluded that a multimodal systems approach can replace modalities within their respective proper locations & reestablish their identities & normative orders, thus promoting humanism rather than utilitarianism

Ämnesord

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Medie- och kommunikationsvetenskap -- Systemvetenskap, informationssystem och informatik med samhällsvetenskaplig inriktning (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Media and Communications -- Information Systems, Social aspects (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Social Informatics

Informatik

Publikations- och innehållstyp

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