Soft systems methodology to information systems: a Wittgensteinian approach
Authors: Gregory, F. H.
Journal: Information Systems Journal (1993)
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2575.1993.tb00122.x
<jats:p><jats:bold>Abstract. </jats:bold> A logical foundation for information system design requires a theory of meaning. Ideational theories attach meaning to the ideas in the private world of a conscious subject. By contrast Wittgenstein held that language and meaning were primarily public and that a private, purely subjective, language was impossible. The iterative debate among stake‐holders that takes place in the practice of soft systems methodology (SSM) can be understood as a Wittgensteinian language game in which meaning is created not just discovered. The conceptual models used in SSM can be developed into logico‐linguistic models which express stipulative definitions. These definitions can be taken as a logical basis for information system design.</jats:p>