CAFÉ SCIENTIFIQUE ARLINGTON  January 10, 2012

Second Order Science presented by Stuart Umpleby, Professor of Management, The George Washington University

ABOUT THE TOPIC: In the social sciences it is clear that theories affect the phenomenon being studied.  Indeed, we create theories in the hope that they will be accepted, acted upon, and the social system will perhaps function better.  However, usually scientific research is based on the assumption that the theory does not affect the phenomenon.  The result is a gap between our assumptions about social systems and the way we do research.  Closing this gap is leading to new methods for both research and practice.  Creating a second order science, which includes examining the effects of theories on phenomena, is presently impeded by logical difficulties involving self- reference.  This problem can be solved by reinterpreting some parts of mathematics using ideas common in everyday life.

Atrium of  The Front Page restaurant & NSF Building , near Ballston Metro. Located at 4201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22203 on the ground floor of the National Science Foundation (NSF) building. Parking is available under the NSF building or at Ballston Common Mall.
Please come early to order table service and socialize. Special half-price burgers start at 5:30 p.m. Presentation begins at 6:15 p.m. followed by Q&A. No science background required – only an interest! Café Scientifique is free and open to the public.

SUPPORT THIS CAFÉ: The Ballston Science and Technology Alliance, a nonprofit organization, is the sponsor of Café Scientifique Arlington. Since April 2006, the goal of Café Scientifique has been to make science more accessible and accountable by featuring speakers whose expertise spans the sciences and who can talk in plain English. Please go to www.arlingtonvirginiausa.com/bsta and contribute. Help keep Café Scientifique open and free to all!
 

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