Semiosis & Sign Exchange

design for a subjective situationism, including conceptual grounds of business information modeling

Pieter Wisse

prelude 13

There it is! The design of subjective situationism is complete. An integral part of the ontology is an anatomy of meaning. Now that is all very well, but what problem does it actually solve?

I believe such a question is too restrictive at this stage. As subjective situationism is an ontology annex epistemology annex semiotics, all conceptual knowledge may be touched by it. That is, it helps you to reconceptualize from a different set of grounds up. Of course there are problem statements for which it really does not matter. However, some problems dissolve as a result, and yet others emerge. But those are impossible to list individually because of the fundamental nature of subjective situationism.

Even whole classes of problems may be affected. I therefore prefer, more generally, to argue for opportunities that arise from fundamental reconceptualization. It has been my approach as a designer to cast subjective situationism as widely as I could imagine. Besides providing for additional design inspiration, wide boundaries promote variety in the outcome. Chances of creating opportunities around the original focus at conceptual information modeling are thereby (also) increased.

Partly, Chapter 13 is a limited, informal survey. It is informal in the sense that it is more or less appended to the combination of the research process description and the design result itself. I indicate some opportunities for subjective situationism as I see them when applied to conceptual information modeling. I certainly venture to argue for interesting opportunities elsewhere, but I am happy to let those rest outside the scope of this treatise.

Chapter 13 also informally addresses several directions for further research related to conceptual modeling. As with a building, laying a proper foundation requires much effort. But the building is only completely finished after much more work. Likewise, subjective situationism is constructively essential, but a foundation nevertheless. I have confidence that it is a promising start for realizing significant improvements in the quality of information systems & services for a world full of variety.

 

 

2002, web edition 2005 © Pieter Wisse

 

 

table of contents; corresponding chapter; previous prelude.