(Association for Interdisciplinary Studies, 1988) Bailis, Stanley; Klein, Julie Thompson; Miller, Raymond
Interdisciplinary refers generically to ways of confronting the
world that do not comport with the currently conventional means of
knowledge production--to a new lens through which to see clearly that
which existing lenses do not bring into focus. Since Benson, the debate
has been about whether interdisciplinarity, like the disciplines, could
or should be foundational, whether it would be desirable to give up the
openness it offers for the improved communication, rigor and
community foundationalism might provide. Principles and openness,
though, are but attributes of elements in the equation. Instead, it is on
the basis of outcomes--of humanly useful results produced--that we
should assess the value of something which arises from a desire to
confront the world effectively.