Philosophical Assumptions

Note: This is Blog entry #2 for COMM601

Philosophical assumptions are the foundation for theories, and provide a clue to the perspective or framework on which scholars base their theories.  There are three major types of philosophical assumptions.  Epistemology is the branch of philosophy that examines knowledge and how people obtain or use it (Littlejohn & Foss, 2011).  A few acquaintances proclaim themselves experts on a number of topics, and preach, lecture, and generally annoy others with their self-imagined knowledge on various issues.  My husband and I sometimes discuss these acquaintances, and ask each other if these individuals really know what they claim to know or if they are simply full of it. We generally conclude the latter is true, but leave the door open to give them the benefit of the doubt.  These conversations between my husband and I are a rough example of an epistemological examination.

Ontology is another branch of philosophical assumption.  It deals primarily with human existence and the nature of human interactions (Littlejohn & Foss, 2011).  This is the philosophical assumption, or group of assumptions, I find most interesting.  Ontology examines human behavior in terms of states and traits (Littlejohn & Foss, 2011).  For example, a person’s traits are the unique and relatively constant qualities he or she possesses.  State is the current status or environment of a person.  An odd example that comes to mind is the way a President changes in appearance after taking office.  Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama each looked youthful upon taking office.  To others, it appeared as if their point of view (regardless of all the political motivations for either party) was one of youth and hope.  A few years into office, each man had gray hair and a noticeably more tired look.  Likewise, the initial enthusiasm faded, and each became somewhat more solemn.  They are the same physical beings now that they were before taking office.  Their traits and characteristics are somewhat unchanged.  However, the state caused subtle changes in appearance and personality over time.

Finally, the branch of philosophy concerned with values is axiology.  Values comprise a tremendous portion of human experiences and they way we view the world.  One aspect of axiology is studying the extent to which observing a process affects the result or outcome (Littlejohn & Foss, 2011).  This reminds me of reality shows.  The term reality, in my opinion, is a misnomer.  True, most “reality” shows are unscripted to some extent.  However, the presence of cameras and many people associated with the filming process likely interfere with the extent to which the finished product, or show, reflects what is real.  As a result, many shows seem scripted and borderline ridiculous.  If one were to study the effects of film crews on the reality show experience the examination would be axiological.

One epistemological question examines whether knowledge exists in the world as absolute and unchanging, or if it is relative to the situation and ever-changing (Littlejohn & Foss, 2011).  A proverbial saying, or cliché, that builds on an epistemological assumption is “a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.”  The bird in the hand represents knowledge as an absolute.  The bird is right there in the hand.  The observer can see it, touch it, and confirm its existence.  The bird in the busy represents the relative aspect of knowledge.  The observer might believe the two birds are in the bush much like a scholar might believe in a concept prior to observing or examining it.  The two birds in the bush and the relative and ever-changing nature represent the intangible aspects of knowledge.

Another cliché or proverb that may require a change in assumptions is “beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”  Taken on the surface at face value the proverb is simple in meaning.  However, examining the saying deeper requires a change in assumptions.  The statement is written from the perspective of an aware, sighted, or enlightened person.  Taken literally, questions arise such as, what if a blind and hearing impaired person is the beholder?  The beholder would not perceive beauty in the same way.  Another interpretation is from the aspect of enlightenment.  For instance, I detest horror films, and rarely see their value or “behold their beauty” if you will.  It is likely someone like me would not appreciate the classic Alfred Hitchcock movie, “Psycho”.  However, a film student, an aspiring director, or a fan of classic horror films could likely talk for hours about the merits of the film and its intrinsic beauty.  This type of inquiry could be considered ontological in the way it touches on human experience and interaction, or axiological in the way it discusses a value or judgment that affects perception.

 

Littlejohn, S., & Foss, K. (2011).Theories of human communication (10th ed.). Long Grove, IL: Waveland Press, Inc..