One Size Fits None?

Excerpt

A zoologist friend of mine once remarked, “The science is in the debate.” He was referring to community process—to scrutiny of contested claims in a public forum, with resolution dependent about judging the quality of inquiry. Those debating hold stature according to their expertise while aspiring to achieve explanatory ideals, which may be, in turn, under debate. Presumably, debate and scrutiny promote the progress of understanding as well as uphold standards of reasonable discourse. These ends (progress and reason) depend upon how a community of practice (Lave and Wenger 1991), in pursuit of shared purposes, organizes its patterns of interaction and communication. These patterns ought to restrain the irrationality of individuals and thus contribute to the common good. …