On Appealing to Philosophy in Information Systems

The paradigmatic frameworks that give strategic direction to our research and practice in any area of information systems (IS) are often discussed with reference to philosophy. Thinkers working within five major areas in IS nature of computers, shaping of information technologies, IS development, use of IS for human tasks, technological ecology appeal to different, incompatible philosophic stances, resulting in incommensurable frameworks. Whilst variety of philosophies can stimulate creative thinking, problems arise when we view IS as a whole story. This paper reviews this variety and suggests we seek a single stream of philosophy to inform every major area of IS in a coherent way. How one philosophy might achieve this is briefly discussed.