Vol.1 No.1 2008
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−6−Preface : A journal of original papers of Type Tow Basic Research (H. Yoshikawa)Synthesiology - English edition Vol.1 No.1 (2008) knowledge, decision of the method of using the knowledge, the integration of knowledge from different disciplines, and the creation of temporary disciplines are all synthetic actions, and if divided into broader classifications of logic such as deduction or induction, it is hypothesis formation or a process of logical abductionTerm 1). In other words, there is no guarantee for the uniqueness of the results. This is an essential quality of synthesis or “making something”. There is neither a guarantee for the validity of the synthesized artifacts, nor optimality. In general, a guarantee is granted by a process different from synthesis. For example, the derivation of a principle in theoretical research is synthesis, but its validity is verified by deductive analysis of its consistency with existing theory and by induction through experiments. For artifacts, this is verified by actual use in society. From this perspective, Type 1 Basic Research is totally different from Type 2 Basic Research. Considering the logical structures of Types 1 and 2 research, they both include abduction, but the importance of abduction is greater for Type 2 research through all stages of the research process. Furthermore, in Type 1 Basic Research, the verification process is done by researchers themselves or by other researchers in the same discipline, but in Type 2 Basic Research, it is demonstrated in society, which is unrelated to the world in which research is conducted.There is uncertainty in whether processes including abduction will succeed or not, and since this is where originality is called into question, differences in verification demonstrate differences in the evaluation of originality. In Type 1 Basic Research, the originality of knowledge newly acquired as a research result is measured by the scale of contribution it makes to the existing body of knowledge, and the processes in reaching the transient hypothetical stage fades into the background and is not evaluated. In Type 2 Basic Research, the research result is evaluated after it is realized as a product by industry and is used by society, but this takes time, and there is no evaluation at the time the research result is obtained. Therefore, a different evaluation method or the “validity of abduction[3]” must be used. Points to be evaluated include the concept of societal contribution, the decision of knowledge selection method, the selection process and result, and the creation of a temporary discipline; these are all part of the abduction process. The original papers of Type 2 Basic Research submitted to this journal record these in detail, and the knowledge contained within will become public property and be evaluated at the same time. This evaluation is that of the validity of abduction, and the mission of the journal is to formulate it.Even in Type 1 Basic Research, the same problem arises as the importance of advice to society is recognized. Selection of background knowledge, when it was decided that advice was necessary, and application of knowledge from the discipline are abductions that determine the originality of the advice. Since a final evaluation depends on use of advice by society, the evaluation of the validity of the abduction process is sought at the moment advice is given.The papers submitted to the first issue are original papers diligently written by researchers based on a certain agreement on what is Type 2 Basic Research reached after numerous discussions on the topics mentioned herein, while taking into consideration the history of the institute and its undertaking of Full Research since 2001. The authors communicated interactively with the first-appointed referees of the journal, and the concept of an original paper of Type 2 Basic Research evolved. Now, the journal is finally being published. Although there is no standard definition of what exactly constitutes Type 2 Basic Research as mentioned in the previous section, please note that a common method is used. The validity of a set societal contribution is stated, scenarios for its realization are portrayed, the knowledge selection method for executing the scenario is proposed, and though not explicit, the temporary discipline in which the selected knowledge will be used is created. Some Type 1 Basic Research is also conducted in the created temporary discipline. Here, there are four synthetic procedures as mentioned previously, so there is quadruple abduction. Their statements, portrayals, proposal, and creation methods and contents vary by paper, but these are distinctly different from traditional expressions such as formation, skills, customs, and formalities, clearly expressing the logical structure of the research procedures.H. Yoshikawa: Kagakusha no atarashii yakuwari (The New Role of Scientists), 136-185, Iwanami Shoten, Tokyo, (2002) (in Japanese).T. Kuhn: The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, University Chicago Press, Chicago (1962).C. S. Peirce: Collected Papers of Charles Sanders Peirce, Vol. 2 (Elements of Logic), 59, ed. by C. Hartshone and P. Weiss, Thoemmes Press, 1931-58 edition.ReferencesTerminologyabduction: (Logic) A syllogism or form of argument in which a hypothesis is accepted that, if true, would best explain the relevant evidence.Term 1:[1][2][3]

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