Why dichotomies can be misleading while dualities fit the analysis of complex phenomena

Abstract

Humans' tendency to classify and categorize is definitely overspread, but it can be misleading at all fields, including epistemology, ontology, theory, and analysis of scientific knowledge construction itself. Sanchez and Loredo (IPBS: Integrative Psychological & Behavioral Science 43:4, in their article on classification of contemporary constructivists fall exactly into such pitfall- even as their effort to make sense of many outstanding theorists is impressive and intriguing. A further analysis, however, points at the theoretical trap posed by such endeavor, for models arisen from different epistemological standpoints cannot be compared along the lines of a simplistic polarity between "objectivism" and subjectivism". There is much more to be taken into account when a intrinsically complex subject like constructivism and constructionism epistemological approach and their welcome different versions-perspectives-are submitted to analysis and critical evaluation. © 2009 Springer Science + Business Media, LLC. © Springer Science + Business Media, LLC 2009.