Self-observation

Laws of Form showed in a formal way that the observer and observed coincide. In particular, the mark of distinction (˥) established the relation between distinction and indication: there cannot be a distinction without indication, and the other way round. The distinction severs a space in a marked and an unmarked state. An observer can observe only the marked side of the distinction in the act of observing, the other side is his blind spot. So, everyone has blind spots, which you can put to the test by yourself by observing the Necker cube and the Rubin vase.

The cube can be viewed from two perspectives, but not at the same time.

Figure: viewing a cube from two perspectives.

If you have trouble seeing both perspectives, then the dotted, hidden edges might help to discern them.

Figure: first perspective to view the cube from.
Figure: second perspective to view the cube from.

You see the vase or the two silhouettes, but again, not at the same time.

Figure: do you see a vase or do you see the silhouettes?

At any one time, one view is perceived, whereas the other view is currently in your blind spot. Not only in the moment you perceive you have a blind spot, but the very way you perceive things have its (implicit) blind spots as well because of the distinctions you apply. A worldview, i.e., the distinctions you make, provides a way to look at the world, like glasses. It is how we look, and we do not know what we miss by perceiving the world according to our worldview (glasses). That is, everyone has its blind spots. Critical thinking is about shifting the attention from first order observations (observing the object (O)) to second order observations (observing the worldview (WV)). You need someone else to point out your blind spots to you.

First-order and second-order observers.

When you look at an object in the outside world, you are a first-order observer. A second-order observer observes how a first-order observer observes the outside world. So, the focus of attention is switched to how one looks, instead of what one sees. This is an important shift because it opens the possibility to thoroughly think through questions like: why is someone doing or saying things the way he does or says? The answers can be found in observing the distinctions that are made by taking a second-order point of view.




Statement: You need someone else to point out your blind spots to you.

Aspect: Critical Reflection, Principle: Create room for change, Principle page: Principles and Ground Rules

Statement pageStatement
Determining Boundary Judgements with CSHA constructive dialog can take place on the basis of first and second order boundary judgments.
Self-observationConcentrate on how to look, instead of what to see.
Self-observationYou need someone else to point out your blind spots to you.

Principles, aspects and statements overview

A second-order observer observing himself as a first-order observer leads to a paradox. As a second-order observer, you see both sides of the distinction, including your own blind spot, which is then no blind spot anymore. Again, this paradox is, as usual by now, de-paradoxified in time. First of all, every observer does have a blind spot regardless of whether a first-order or second-order observer position is taken. In the very act of observing, you see only one side of a distinction. What you see as a second-order observer observing yourself is what you once were in relation to the world. I World def.jpg or equivalently I World reentry.jpg

The distinction [math]\displaystyle{ \overline{I|}world }[/math] is re-entered in its own identical space. But the re-entered mark of distinction has become a mark that cannot be crossed anymore. The past is the past, and there is nothing you can do about it. The distinction is taken as an indivisible whole indicating your actions and the resulting reactions of the world in the past.




Statement: Concentrate on how to look, instead of what to see.

Aspect: Critical Reflection, Principle: Create room for change, Principle page: Principles and Ground Rules

Statement pageStatement
Determining Boundary Judgements with CSHA constructive dialog can take place on the basis of first and second order boundary judgments.
Self-observationConcentrate on how to look, instead of what to see.
Self-observationYou need someone else to point out your blind spots to you.

Principles, aspects and statements overview

Incidentally, by conceptualizing self-reflection as a second-order observation observing yourself, it becomes clear that history does matter. Things done in the past shape present and future actions. As Gadamer argues, we cannot escape tradition (Hans-Georg Gadamer, 1 januari 1960). Tradition is overarching, which also holds for applying the scientific method in human sciences. To put it bluntly, the scientific method objectifies the present but without taking into consideration what we used to do and why, that is, our tradition. But tradition cannot be brushed away from human life, and that, ironically, applies for the way we conduct scientific research as well because the scientific method itself evolves in time due to new insights. Thus, tradition is overarching, but it also evolves.























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