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<b>Invitation to SIGPhilosophy (Special Interest Group on Philosophy
and Epistemology of Information Systems)</b><br>
<br>
There is a need for a focal point for the debate on philosophical
issues in IS research. So far, this work was dispersed over various
conferences and journals, efforts by IFIP 8.1, 8.2 and AISWorld
webpages on research. Although the SIGPhilosophy was established in
2002 during ICIS at Barcelona to provide this focal point, it has a
long way to go in gathering the brightest minds in IS towards
accomplishing its original mission of improving IS research by drawing
on philosophical literature, what more the ambitious goal of
strengthening the IS field’s ties with other disciplines.<br>
<br>
As Dilthey reminds us, the ancient Greeks had once remarked that
philosophy is not wisdom, it’s the love of wisdom. This quest of truth
for its own sake is possible only when one travels outside one’s area
of expertise, to see the world (<i>theōriēs heineken</i>) from a
certain distance in order to gain that universal wisdom or theoretical
knowledge (<i>Herodotus</i>). The anthropologist James Clifford once
wrote: "Theory is a product of displacement, comparison, a certain
distance. To theorize, one leaves home." The SIGPhilosophy provides
for such a space, and seeks to develop the community of kindred spirits
who share their insights in reviving the critical consciousness that
never accepts anything as given, who wish to join the endeavor towards
valid knowledge and embrace infinite possibilities.<br>
<br>
I’d like to invite every AIS member to join and contribute to the
SIGPhilosophy
(<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="https://m360.aisnet.org/frontend/forms/ViewForm.aspx?id=12423">https://m360.aisnet.org/frontend/forms/ViewForm.aspx?id=12423</a>), to
subscribe to the SIGPhilosophy Listserve
(<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.aisnet.org/ais_lists/memberslists.aspx">http://www.aisnet.org/ais_lists/memberslists.aspx</a>) and be part of the
future of the IS field.<br>
<br>
The SIGPhilosophy is working on:<br>
1. Starting a discussion on the SIGPhilosophy listserve on the
organization and running of the SIG<br>
2. Migrating its website to a wiki site that every member can
contribute to<br>
3. Plan for a first meeting at both AMCIS 2010 and ICIS 2010 to
discuss future plans<br>
<br>
Nik R. Hassan<br>
<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:nhassan@d.umn.edu">nhassan@d.umn.edu</a><br>
Moderator, SIGPhilosophy Listserve <br>
<br>
<pre class="moz-signature" cols="72">--
Nik R. Hassan
Dir. LSBE Tech Program, Assoc. Professor, Finance & MIS Dept.
Labovitz School of Business and Economics
LSBE 111Q, University of Minnesota Duluth
1318 Kirby Drive
Duluth MN 55812
Office Phone: (218) 726-7453, 726-6705
Fax: (218) 726-7516
Home Page: <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="http://www.d.umn.edu/~nhassan">www.d.umn.edu/~nhassan</a>
Email: <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:nhassan@d.umn.edu">nhassan@d.umn.edu</a></pre>
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