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The Logical Compass An Interpretive Methodology

SummaryThe Logical Compass is a simple tool to assist in understanding the meaning of words. It was developed by Michael Lloyd at The University of Bath, England for his M.Phil. thesis into Soft Systems Methodology (1997). A printed copy is held in the University Library.

IntroductionIt is said 'words don't have meaning, people have meaning for words.' (unattributable, probably Wittgenstein)

For example when I say this glass of wine is Expensive, that is my opinion. But Expensive compared to what? Another person might not find it Expensive. The same is true with other attributes like 'popular' and so on.

I could describe this wine as Expensive and add that it is Popular. I would do that in order to add some colour, shape or texture to my subjective opinion.

Perhaps you do not find the wine Expensive or Popular What then is the opposite of Expensive? For some it could be Cheap, or Reasonable but again they are Subjective. They do not exactly mean the opposite of Expensive. As can be shown by asking the opposite of Unreasonable, and ending up with Reasonable. Whoever heard of a cognitive wine?

To avoid any confusion we must use its Logical Opposite (LO), by adding the prefix 'Not.' For Expensive it is Not Expensive. Likewise the LO for Popular is Not Popular.

The use of the LO adds both precision and clarity, and excludes a host of confusing alternative Antonyms.

Now we have two attributes for our glass of wine, and we can put them to use on the Logical Compass.

ExamplePart the first We first draw a circle, divided into 4 equal parts with a vertical and a horizontal line to form a simple Compass, with 4 points - North, East, South and West. Then we take the first of our two words, Expensive, and place it at the North Pole And the other word, Popular, is placed on the East It is an easy matter to put Not Expensive at the South Pole and Not Popular on the West. We have created our first Logical Compass (LC)

Part the Second Ask yourself what object would you describe as being both somewhat Expensive and somewhat Popular? Maybe a BMW motor car. This is subjective, the choice is yours. Place the word in the North East sector. If you feel your object is rather more Expensive than it is Popular then locate your word accordingly nearer the North Pole If it is Expensive and neither Popular nor Unpopular then it does not exist Everything that is exists somewhere on the continuum between Popular and Unpopular So avoid putting objects exactly on any of the 4 points of the compass

Then think what is it, in my opinion, that is both somewhat Popular and somewhat Not Expensive? A hundred things come to mind, but remember they are your words. Just enter 3 or 4 in the South East sector And do likewise in the South West - Not Expensive and Not Popular. and the North West - Expensive and Not Popular.

The AnalysisLook at the objects, things, real and abstract in the North East sector. If you cast your eyes to the South West sector, what would you say about them? Are they the opposite? Similarly, compare and contrast the South East sector with the North West.

The NotationAny word on the LC has a location which can be expressed as LS/North/East/degrees of rotation from North Our BMW becomes LC/Expensive/Popular/45 Or LC/Expensive/Popular/20 depending on your interpretation.

ConclusionThe LC serves three masters - Clarification, Challenge and Analysis Clarification - by using a visual model you are better able to understand and explain what you mean and don't mean. And provides a visual record for others to see Challenge - it is an easy matter to substitute the North pole with another adjective, then challenge the first findings. Analysis - when working with individuals or groups, it opens discussion about the choice of objects.

CopyrightWiki users are free to use the Logical Compass provided they reference the source. Either this URL, or the School of Management, University of Bath Library, England.