Paradox identification and paradox resolution in scientific endeavour: Reconciliation of contradictory rulesets in the interests of better theorization and hypothesis-building

Abstract

This paper seeks to meaningfully complement many of our earlier and previously published papers on
scientific method and the philosophy of science among which were our papers on the social
responsibility of researchers, science activism, the sociological ninety ten rule, the certainty uncertainty
principle, cross-cultural research design, output criteria driven scientific hypothesis formulation,
horizontal collaboration etc., and is intended to help produce better scientific theories and hypotheses
in general and led to scientific endeavour that is of a fundamentally higher order as well. It will, we
expect and anticipate, catapult scientific activity to an altogether higher domain and sphere given that a
proactive quest for paradoxes is at the heart of our approach, and is also resultantly expected to be an
intrinsic part of formal, structured and pre-defined scientific method in future. It therefore forms an
essential and an integral part of our globalization of science movement as well, given the fact that multicultural and inter-disciplinary approaches to science are likely to throw up more paradoxes as well, and
literally up the ante too by leading to scientific activity that is of a fundamentally higher order. We begin
this paper by getting down to brass stacks and attempting a basic definition of the widely used term
“paradox” and reviewing older literature in this regard in different contexts. We also lay bare the
essentials of our approach, and enunciate the postulates and canons that form a part of our paper, so
that the entire philosophy driving this paper, i.e., its philosophical foundation, in clearly grasped and
understood by those to whom it is intended.

Keywords: Sujay Rao Mandavilli