Source: Stuart C. Dodd Institute for Social Innovation
http://www.stuartcdoddinstitute.org/social-innovation-theory.shtml

Papers
The General Theory of Social Innovation
By Dr. Richard S. Kirby, May 2, 1998

Contents:

I. Meta-theoretical Prolegomenon

II. Purposes And Functions of the Theory of Social Innovation
1. Intended Purposes
2. Intended Functions

III. Theoretical Ancestry of the Theory
1.   Ancient History
2.   Medieval History
3.   Modern History
4.   Current Theory

Bibliography

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1ST DRAFT commenced 3/2/98 @ 9:39 am

The General Theory of Social Innovation

I. META-THEORETICAL PROLEGOMENON

1. The Theory of Social Innovation [TSI] is a theory of society; and belongs to the species of both social and scientific theories; which can be presented as a model; as well as in the form of a verbal document.  The presentation of the theory as a model will be designed in such a way as to allow its formulation,  construction and development as

(1) a conceptual model
(2) a symbolic representational model such as a map or scale model
(3) a cyberspace model or 'virtual model'
(4) a literal model as in physical space
(5) a mathematical model

2. We shall present the theory in the form of a hypothetico-deductive model;, using axioms; as the 'vocabulary' of the theory;. but we shall aim at presenting an experimental theory of society, an experimental philosophy of society.

II.  PURPOSES AND FUNCTIONS OF THE THEORY OF SOCIAL INNOVATION;

The Purposes and Functions of the Theory of Social Innovation include:

1.  INTENDED PURPOSES

(1) Definition of the actual and possible occasions of social innovation in actual and possible societies

(2) Explanation of the social origins of social innovation occasions

(3) Description of the [social] means by which social innovation occasions can be promoted in societies

(4) Location of social innovation theory within general theory of society; [sociology;], and particularly within theories of social change, and social creativity

(5) formulation of the theory within the tradition of scientific empiricism,; such that the predictive power of the theory; is continually increased by scientific testing of the predictions; which is engenders.

2. INTENDED FUNCTIONS

1. To situate social innovation theory within contemporary economic theory, and particularly within fiscal policy theory, in order to advise social change-agencies in business, government and social fields concerning the economic consequences of social innovation.

2. To develop a unified financial theory of social innovation [social finance sub-theory] which can be used by business, government and society as part of the theory of the Firm, philosophy of government and theory of society.

3. To propose a rapprochement between Theory of Art [aesthetics, philosophy of art] and social finance theory.

3.1 To correlate processes of social inspiration with occasions of social innovation in actual and possible societies.

3.1.1  To advance social theory's capability to define social inspiration occasions  in such a way as to develop a socially useful theory of social inspiration and inspired society/ies

4. To propose a rapprochement between Theory of Intelligence, Hyper-Intelligence and Genius and social innovation/finance theory.

4.1  To apply social innovation/finance theory to think-tank theory and design.

4.1.1  To assess the value and achievements of extant and moribund think-tanks and to determine the priorities for the fiscally sound reconstruction of think-tanks in the light of these analyses and studies based on them.

5. To situate social theory, via Social Innovation Theory, within philosophical accounts of change, in such a way as to enhance society's capacity to anticipate change and its sequelae such as 'Future Shock' and turn them to fiscal profit.

5.1  To construct a process-based theory of society


III.  Theoretical Ancestry of the Theory


1.  ANCIENT HISTORY
(1) Aristotle's Politics

2.  MEDIEVAL HISTORY
(2) Hypothetico-deductive [philosophy of] scientific method

3.  MODERN HISTORY

(3) Non-dualistic Idealism
(4) Process Philosophy; Mathematical Philosophy
(5) Philosophy of economics (Keynes' General Theory)
(6) Mathematical Sociology (Dodd's Dimensions of Society)

4.  CURRENT THEORY

(7) New Administrative theory/ Organizational Development theory;
(9) Management theory
(9) Financial theory [Finance]
(10)[Philosophy of] Mathematical theory [various]
(11)Vector Philosophy


IV. The Theory Stated Axiomatically

1. The General Theory of Social Innovation (GTSI) is a theory/model of social innovation.

2. The General Theory/model of Social Innovation (GTSI) is a cluster [organized multiplicity] of versions of an experimental theory/model of society, 2.1 an experimental philosophy of society.

3. The General Theory/model of Social Innovation (GTSI) is a cluster of versions of an experimental aesthetics of society

3.1. A theory/model of social beauty, of beauty in society
3.2 of the social arts
3.2.1. of the political arts

4. The General Theory/model of Social Innovation (GTSI) is a cluster of versions of an experimental theory/model of social time,
4.1 of the experience of time in society
4.2 of the times of societies
4.3 of the Spirit of the Time (Zeitgeist) of society

5. The General Theory/model of Social Innovation (GTSI) is a cluster of versions of an experimental theory/model social change,

5.1 of crisis-response change
5.2 of not extraordinary-time change
5.2.1. of deliberate social experiments
5.2.1.1 of planned social movements

6. The General Theory/model of Social Innovation (GTSI) is a cluster of versions of an experimental theory/model of social creativity:

6.1  of the creation of societies
6.2 of the creativity of societies
6.2.1. of the genius-level creativity of society
6.2.2 of the inspiration of societies
6.2.2.1 of societies as sources of inspiration

7. The General Theory/model of Social Innovation (GTSI) is a cluster of versions of an experimental theory/model of social intelligence:

7.1 Hyper-intelligence

8. The General Theory/model of Social Innovation (GTSI) is a cluster of versions of an experimental theory/model of social wealth:

8.1 The definition of the wealth of {a} society
8.2 The enlargement of the wealth of {a} society

9. The General Theory/model of Social Innovation (GTSI) is a cluster of versions of an experimental theory/model of social finance

10. The General Theory/model of Social Innovation (GTSI) is a cluster of versions of an experimental theory/model of social economics,

10.1 A practical philosophy of social economics
10.1 An experimental philosophy of social financial policy
10.1.1  of fiscal policy
10.1.1.1  of tax reform

11. The General Theory/model of Social Innovation (GTSI) is a cluster of versions of an experimental theory/model of Business, Government and Society relationships


BIBLIOGRAPHY

Dodd, Stuart Carter, Dimensions of Society, Macmillan, 1942
Marx, and Hillix  Theory in Psychology
Fletcher, R. W.  Sociology
Kirby, R. & Brewer, E.D The Temples of Tomorrow
Russell, Bertrand, An Introduction to Mathematical Philosophy

© 2003 by Stuart C. Dodd Institute for Social Innovation.
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