Philosophical Underpinnings of the Transdisciplinary Research Methodology

Abstract

This paper is predicated on two assumptions.First, many scholars do not appreciate thephilosophical underpinnings of their research,commonly grounded in three dominant methodologies- empirical, interpretive and critical. Second, ifscholars were more familiar with a newcomer -transdisciplinary (TD) research methodology - theywould be more inclined to embrace it in their re-search. The paper begins with an explanation of fourphilosophical axioms (ontology, epistemology, logicand axiology) shaping the aforementioned dominantresearch methodologies. Then, each NicolescuianTD axiom is described: (a) multiple levels of Realitymediated by the Hidden Third (ontology); (b)knowledge as complex, emergent, cross-fertilized andembodied (epistemology); (c) inclusive logic (logic ofcomplexity) to facilitate contradiction reconciliation;and (d) transdisciplinary value formation (axiology).The paper concludes with a preliminary overview ofNicolescuian TD research methodology in action.When used in concert with the three longstandingresearch methodologies, the Nicolescuian approachholds promise for addressing the complexities facinghumanity