Scandinavian Journal of Information Systems
Abstract
Observability receives scant attention in Information Systems (IS) research, appearing primarily within the framework of Critical Realism (CR). CR draws a sharp line between what can be observed and what remains beyond observation. Its stratified ontology treats observed empirical events as mere effects of generative mechanisms that reside in the deepest, unobservable ‘real’ domain. A closer look reveals that CR holds two parallel views of its ‘real’ domain: (1) a fallible scientific ontology derived retroductively from empirical inquiry, and (2) a philosophical ontology presented as infallible, universal, and timeless. This research note contends that (a) the justification for CR’s philosophical ontology rests on an outdated conception of philosophy as an armchair discipline that provides foundations for empirical science, and (b) the motivations underlying this ontology are both political and theistic. Consequently, CR contributes little to our understanding of observation. Observation does not—and should not—depend on CR or any other philosophical foundation. Observation is best achieved when coupled with instrumentation, experimentation, and an explicit acknowledgment that most of our knowledge depends on testimony.
DOI
10.17705/3SJIS/037.16
Recommended Citation
Lanamäki, Arto
(2025)
"Rethinking Observability Beyond Critical Realism,"
Scandinavian Journal of Information Systems: Vol. 37:
Iss.
2, Article 7.
DOI: 10.17705/3SJIS/037.16
Available at:
https://aisel.aisnet.org/sjis/vol37/iss2/7