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Paradoxes, Double Binds, and Reflexive Loops: An Alternative Theoretical Perspective
Author(s) -
CRONEN VER E.,
JOHNSON KENNETH M.,
LANNAMANN JOHN W.
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
family process
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.011
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1545-5300
pISSN - 0014-7370
DOI - 10.1111/j.1545-5300.1982.00091.x
Subject(s) - reflexivity , epistemology , meaning (existential) , perspective (graphical) , sociology , set (abstract data type) , action (physics) , systems theory , natural (archaeology) , symbol (formal) , computer science , philosophy , social science , artificial intelligence , linguistics , physics , archaeology , quantum mechanics , history , programming language
This article presents a new theory of refiexivity in systems of social meaning and action. It is argued that Russell's Theory of Logical Types, which formed the basis of the early work of the Palo Alto group, rests upon an inappropriate and largely outdated epistemology. The theory offered here rejects the assumption that reflexivity and paradox are coterminous. It is further argued that reflexivity is a natural and necessary feature of human systems of meaning. New analytic tools are offered for discerning problematic from nonproblematic reflexive loops. The new tools take the form of a symbol system that can be used to represent the rules that organize reflexive relationships. The theory also contains a set of statements designed to delimit conditions under which problematic reflexive loops have ramifications for persons' mental health.