This is one of those things that I need to think more about. i said in my other comment that I think of theory as a tool. It is something that you apply to reach an understanding, to come to terms with the material... It doesn't necessaarily reflect what I believe, or how I actually see the world, but it helps me to set it in understandable term.
I wonder, if I were to say that I see postmodernism as being my personal paradigm, or philosphy... It represents my world view, but that I reject it as a useful applicable working theory in social science and archaeology, if that would make sense, or if it is just a copout? I really don't believe that there is an absolute truth, or that only one understanding that is even *desirable*. I think that this leave me open to select the most useful tool, or theory, for examining a particular problem, or issue.
This would probably be more coherent if I hadn't have 6 hours of class today, three of them all at once, and if it weren't 11 PM :P
Anyway, I don't know if you will give me any more replies, but I have quite enjoyed this dialogue to date :)
Definition/limitation as the essence of Theory
I wonder, if I were to say that I see postmodernism as being my personal paradigm, or philosphy... It represents my world view, but that I reject it as a useful applicable working theory in social science and archaeology, if that would make sense, or if it is just a copout? I really don't believe that there is an absolute truth, or that only one understanding that is even *desirable*. I think that this leave me open to select the most useful tool, or theory, for examining a particular problem, or issue.
This would probably be more coherent if I hadn't have 6 hours of class today, three of them all at once, and if it weren't 11 PM :P
Anyway, I don't know if you will give me any more replies, but I have quite enjoyed this dialogue to date :)