The Humanist Conversation
Sunday, April 30, 2006
bI am such an analytical, logical person, that this humanities “stuff” was difficult for me to wrap my thoughts around. Nevertheless, I think I have finally un-jumbled my thoughts enough to make a coherent post.
bFrom Chandan’s talk regarding humanities research methods, I understand that our thoughts and logic can only be expressed so much as our metaphors of language will allow. Thus, different words, or metaphors, will lead us to very different answers. Such discrepancies can be noted in the varying nature of verifiable and non-verifiable questions, both telling unique stories. Verifiable questions, such as those asked by social-scientists, are those that are quantifiable and measurable, the “who,” “what,” “where,” “when,” and “how.” Non-verifiable questions, however, are those used by humanists and attempt to capture one’s beliefs and opinions on a subject, with answers that are unique to a particular individual and situation. In essence, one will rarely come across the same answer twice to a non-verifiable question. And so, I pose these questions to you:
bVerifiable Questionb
Economically, how has the new Health Insurance Act and Exceptional Medical Expenses Act of the Netherlands affected the level of care that physicians can deliver to their patients?
bIn order to get to the solution, social scientists would examine graphs and charts with economic statistics and findings. Furthermore, they could examine the sorts of tests that are being given under the new model as opposed to those tests and procedures performed under the former model. What shifts have they observed? Have doctors had to cut back on the number of diagnostic tests they perform? Through fact-finding, each verifiable question leads one to a clear-cut solution.
bNon-Verifiable Questionb
What kind of effects do physicians believe the shift in Dutch health care has had on the care they can deliver to their patients?
bHumanists would delve into the topic by looking at the feelings of doctors regarding the shift. How do they see the shift? Is it good, bad, or ugly? Has this change enhanced the care they can give, or has it detracted from the quality they deliver? Whereas social scientists would try to uncover concrete answers to such questions, humanists look to develop unique thoughts and feelings regarding such topics.
bPower regimes affect our production of knowledge in every aspect of our lives. While language affects the delivery of our thoughts, it is power regimes that influence the initial production of these thoughts. How does the government influence citizen’s beliefs about their rights? And how then, does society’s view of health affect their beliefs about universal health care?
bWith such questions, I hope to not only find answers to the verifiable questions, but to develop a conversation around my non-verifiable questions.
bFrom Chandan’s talk regarding humanities research methods, I understand that our thoughts and logic can only be expressed so much as our metaphors of language will allow. Thus, different words, or metaphors, will lead us to very different answers. Such discrepancies can be noted in the varying nature of verifiable and non-verifiable questions, both telling unique stories. Verifiable questions, such as those asked by social-scientists, are those that are quantifiable and measurable, the “who,” “what,” “where,” “when,” and “how.” Non-verifiable questions, however, are those used by humanists and attempt to capture one’s beliefs and opinions on a subject, with answers that are unique to a particular individual and situation. In essence, one will rarely come across the same answer twice to a non-verifiable question. And so, I pose these questions to you:
bVerifiable Questionb
Economically, how has the new Health Insurance Act and Exceptional Medical Expenses Act of the Netherlands affected the level of care that physicians can deliver to their patients?
bIn order to get to the solution, social scientists would examine graphs and charts with economic statistics and findings. Furthermore, they could examine the sorts of tests that are being given under the new model as opposed to those tests and procedures performed under the former model. What shifts have they observed? Have doctors had to cut back on the number of diagnostic tests they perform? Through fact-finding, each verifiable question leads one to a clear-cut solution.
bNon-Verifiable Questionb
What kind of effects do physicians believe the shift in Dutch health care has had on the care they can deliver to their patients?
bHumanists would delve into the topic by looking at the feelings of doctors regarding the shift. How do they see the shift? Is it good, bad, or ugly? Has this change enhanced the care they can give, or has it detracted from the quality they deliver? Whereas social scientists would try to uncover concrete answers to such questions, humanists look to develop unique thoughts and feelings regarding such topics.
bPower regimes affect our production of knowledge in every aspect of our lives. While language affects the delivery of our thoughts, it is power regimes that influence the initial production of these thoughts. How does the government influence citizen’s beliefs about their rights? And how then, does society’s view of health affect their beliefs about universal health care?
bWith such questions, I hope to not only find answers to the verifiable questions, but to develop a conversation around my non-verifiable questions.
posted by Erika at 10:25 PM
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