Contributions of dialectics to knowledge organization

Abstract

Knowledge organization, and its nurturing scientific disciplines, have been built on objectivism, a perspective rooted in positivism on which the Belgian found-ing fathers of Information Science developed their theories, and which has been continued through func-tionalism, the philosophical basement that holds together the technicist paradigm from which the problems of its domain are nowadays usually described or solved. However, operating such complex symbolic and discursive materials as knowledge, experience or memory —especially through their footprints and records (exo-memory) in the massive digital networks— requires studies carried out from sensible ethical, cultural and political positions. Dialectical exploration does not only provides essential clues to help us to understand some of the most decisive knowledge organization operations as highly mediated hermeneutics, but also provides us with the tools to ensure pluralism and democracy in the subjects and discourses that deserve it. The digital space offers new opportunities for diversity, but also an unprecedented threat of unification of cultures, democratic positions and dissent. Installing a dialectical consciousness into the core of knowledge organization and memory research and practice, as claimed by this article, will contribute to the protection and promotion of basic human rights through the regulated dialogue among the different and legitimate positions.