Abstract
Information Systems research suffers from a fractured approach to research and lacks a coherent philosophy to guide its development into the future. A solution to this problem can be found in a Holistic Pragmatic Philosophy of Information Systems which resolves not only this problem but provides a compass for future research, actions, and conduct. The philosophical framework of pragmatism permits the application of empiricism while acknowledging metaphysical influences. It supports the reductionist approach insofar that in certain cases it becomes necessary to observe effects on particulate cases. But any such tests need to be considered within the whole. This ought to stimulate researchers’ imaginations since they are less focussed entirely within the microcosm. Therefore, as a philosophical framework for Information Systems, holistic pragmatism enables the imaginative researcher to deal with the rapidly changing Information Systems landscape.
Recommended Citation
Litchfield, Alan, "Holistic Pragmatism as a Philosophical Framework in Information Systems Research" (2009). AMCIS 2009 Proceedings. 44.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/amcis2009/44