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  %DESCRIBE REFLEX RELATE IDEAL VALUE TRAP BIND SCI 921212

     Natural   scientists  seek  to   describe   objective
relationships  with  the aid of the quantitative languages
of mathematics, computers, graphs, measurements, etc. They
seek to  fulfill the values and  ideals of their objective
paradigms.

     Social  scientists  seek  to  describe the  reflexive
relationships  among people.  What languages would be most
appropriate for describing reflexive relationships?  Is it
reasonable  to  assume  that the  objective  languages  of
natural  scientists  would  be appropriate  for  reflexive
descriptions of the reflexive relationships among  people,
their ideals, and their values?

     How  are  we  to judge the worth of various  kind  of
descriptive    statements?    Are   objective   statements
inherently   better   statements   than   are    reflexive
statements?  Or might it be vice versa?  According to what
kinds of criteria are we to decide, discover, or determine
that some kinds of statements are essentially better kinds
of statements than are other kinds of statements? Are such
decisions,    discoveries  and/or  determinations  to   be
objective or reflexive in nature?

     When we approach the tasks,  problems and dilemmas of
deciding,  discovering and/or  determining the appropriate
responses  to  the above kinds of questions,  we  need  to
reflect upon whether they do, or do not, reflect back upon
us in essential ways. In responding to the questions is it
possible for us to do so  without our responses reflecting
back  upon us?  Only if the answer is clearly yes,  can we
respond  objectively.   If  the answer is  no,   then  our
reflection should make it clear to us and to each other in
open and honest discussions,  conversations and  dialogue;
that the only honest way to  approach the tasks,  problems
and   dilemmas  is  in  openly  reflexive  ways  which  we
recognize  NOT  TO  BE OBJECTIVE;  NOT SCIENTIFIC  in  the
traditional sense.

     How  then  are we to discriminate between nonsensical
descriptions   and   sensible,   meaningful,   significant
descriptions?   If  the traditional values and  ideals  of
natural   scientists  cannot  be  used  appropriately   in
deciding  what  responses are wise;  then what  values and
ideals  should  be used?  Each person  who  considers  our
reflexive  descriptions  must ask  whether  our  reflexive
descriptions  make sense to them,  are meaningful to them,
and help them make sense of their own personal experiences
in   significant  ways.   If  so,   then   our   reflexive
descriptions are true for them in reflexive ways;  but not
necessarily in objective ways.

     Descriptions  which  are reflexively  true  for  many
healthy   people---will  not  necessarily  be  objectively
meaningful or significant statements to natural scientists
working  within the confines of  the  objective  paradigm.
Similarly,  descriptions which are objectively  meaningful
and significant  statements  to natural scientists working
within  the  confines of the objective paradigm---will not
necessarily  be reflexively true  for any  people  who are
living  honestly  reflexive  lives  in  healthy   intimate
personal relationships.  The two kinds of  statements  are
different,   and  can be  meaningful  and  significant  to
different people working within  the contexts of different
paradigms.
                                                                                                                               
                         (c) 2005 by Paul A. Smith in      
                    (On Being Yourself, Whole and Healthy)  
                                                                                                                               
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