PO110 Study Guide - Dogma, Relativism
Document Summary
Concepts are to the students of politics what maps and compasses are to navigators. Concept: something conceived in the mind: thought, notion, an abstract or generic idea generalized from specific instances. Help us to describe, understand, and explain political phenomena. Help us to not simply interpret the world but seek to change it. Hinder us by closing off avenues of investigation. Dogmatism: sticking to what you believe and refusing to believe anyone else"s views. This is not true communication; nothing is taken away from the conversation. (i"m right and you"re wrong) Relativism: avoidance; the idea that we do not need a concept of anything by collective data because what i think is relative to me. Everyone has their own opinion. (i"m right and you"re right). Eclectivism: more pragmatic approach; best ideal we can get under the circumstances. You really haven"t resolved anything because you still have your own opinions and beliefs. (compromise).
