Reflections

The reason we have been content to emerge with five answers rather than trying to find a single over-arching one -- or, contrariwise, to sink into a morass of subjectivism that disallows any answer to an ’is’ question from being substantive -- is because we have employed the radical philosophical approach of Herman Dooyeweerd. As mentioned at the start of chapter 2, Dooyeweerd was an unusual philosopher in that, rather than merely trying to formulate philosophical theory, he tried to ’clear away’ what keeps us from seeing the structure of reality as it presents itself to us in the everyday attitude.

A Framework for Understanding the Nature of Computers and Information

"What is a computer?" and "What is information?" are questions that the reflective user will sometimes ponder. These questions do not refer to what the computer means to us, subjectively (or intersubjectively) nor as enabling particular applications, whether controlling or emancipatory in nature; those issues were addressed in chapter 4. What is at issue is the nature of the computer regardless of application and of (inter-)subjective meaning. What is it that differentiates computer from, for example, mechanical machine or electronic gadget on one hand, or from other information technology such as writing, printing, film or video on the other? Pre-theoretical experience continues to assert that there is a difference.

A Framework for Understanding Information Technology as Ecology

Information technology (IT) deeply influences the way we live, our assumptions, aspirations, expectations, habits -- our very life-and-world-views (LWVs). It has become an environment in which we live and work, a kind of ecology in which modern life takes place. We have created it, but it also creates, or at least deeply affects, us. This area is concerned with what Lyon (1988) called the information society and Castells (1996), the network society, and it is in this area that such things as Walsham’s (2001) discussion of globalisation are considered. It addresses issues of the type found in Vignette 5 in the Preface.

Overview of Dooyeweerd's Philosophy

The aim of this chapter is to introduce the thought of Herman Dooyeweerd, giving a basic overview of the main themes and ways of thinking that are relevant to understanding information systems. More detailed explanation and discussion of specific points of his philosophy will be offered where they are first needed in later chapters, where these basic themes will be used to formulate frameworks for understanding research and practice in several areas of IS. So the reader should not feel required to absorb reams of philosophy before addressing IS issues.

A Framework for Understanding Human Use of Computers

This chapter seeks to open it up further and explore how Dooyeweerd’s philosophy can be used to understand human use of computers (HUC) by exposing some of the challenges and issues therein and enable us to formulate a framework for understanding it. The framework developed aims to be sensitive to everyday issues as they present themselves to us as users in both research and practice.

Introduction

The purpose of this book is to introduce a different way of looking at IT and IS, and to suggest some tools to help us do this and to take action. The tools derive from philosophy but are orientated to everyday experience of IT/IS. And those tools will be applied to five areas of research and practice in IT/IS to which the above questions relate. They are also the areas related to the five vignettes in the Preface (Vignettes 1, 2, 3, 5, 4 respectively).

A Framework for Understanding Information Technology Resources

Information systems developers make use of information technology resources. IT resources might include, for example, tools like editors, compilers, linkers and debuggers (usually now integrated into development environment software) the languages in which knowledge may be represented (programming or knowledge representation (KR) languages), protocols for inter-program communication (which includes file protocols for various purposes), and building blocks such as ready-made algorithms and libraries of software. Whereas ISD is concerned with specific types of application, IT resources and tools aspire to be valid regardless of type of application.

Some Portions of Dooyeweerd's Positive Philosophy

This chapter explains some portions of Dooyeweerd’s positive philosophy which author has found useful in understanding IS. It covers Dooyeweerd’s theory of modal spheres (aspects), his theory of things, his theory of knowing, experience and assumptions, and, on the basis of these, it draws together his approach to everyday life. What it does not cover is his notion of cosmic time and the relationship between the self and the Divine, nor his extensive discussion of the State. It also reviews some criticisms of Dooyeweerd.

A Framework for Understanding Information Systems Development

This chapter explores how Dooyeweerd’s philosophy might help us understand the challenges and issues in ISD as they are seen from an everyday perspective. The information system that is developed includes both the technical artefact or system and the human context of its use, which is often organisational. The communities of practice and research in this area include those involved in programming, system design, systems analysis, organisational analysis, knowledge elicitation, modelling, and many more. First this chapter reviews the history of ISD and paradigms, and shows briefly why a new paradigmatic approach might be useful. Then it applies Dooyeweerd’s notion of multi-aspectual functioning to understand what goes on in ISD, and derives a tentative framework for understanding it.