Purpose of Theory - Essay Example

The purpose of theory Institution: The purpose of a theory What is the purpose of theory and how does this differ from a model or map?  The subject on the essence of theory has long been debated. According to the Oxford dictionary, theory refers to systems or ideas or the supposition of ideas aimed at explaining something, purpose of theory is a form of basic human need that turns sensory data to some form of interpretation of reality. Theory evolves with human conscious minds to satisfy people’s natural curiosity as curiosity is beneficial to human survival (Rousseau, 2006).

Sophistication has allowed for the evolution of theory as an impeccable means to justify everything that the human mind can conjure up. The purpose of theory is to facilitate the exploration and explanation of curiosity through the sharing of ideas with evidence from other mode of information retrieval such as maps and models. Theories are primarily modes employed by man to travel through the journey to attain facts. Theories travel farther than facts as they are not limited by the confines of proof.

This is primary because theories are not proven facts, but rather endeavor to become facts. This means theories can be considered as simply possible trajectories to facts. There is a stark distinction between theories, maps and models. Firstly, models are typically well tested. For instance, a mathematical model of a part of science is a well-tested aspect of science that allows one to conduct mathematical tests with the utmost certainty of realizing factual answers. Theories are usually accompanied by explanatory rules to facilitate their application.

Theories are of paramount importance because they synthesize and amalgamate a substantive variety of phenomena. In addition, theories also allow the prediction of new phenomena that are important in human life (Stockdale, 1979). The predictive nature of theories also offers suggestions and directions for additional research, as well as testing to enhance future phenomena. In management, for instance, theories have facilitated the establishment of essential practices that enhance the practice of business management and organization.

A principle or map, on the other hand, is quite distinct from a theory. Maps and principles, unlike facts, are immensely effective as they work all the time. Maps and principles offer proportions of certainty, which demonstrate application to certain areas of life in the scenario where the map or principle is of use. Principles and maps are ideally used to explain aspects of life that are essential to living (Hayakawa, 1979). Compare scientific inquiry with naive inquiry In a scientific sense, theory refers to ways of looking at fields that explain and predict various implications.

The philosophy of science logical positivism advocates a formal approach to theories, which provides a foundation for further empirical studies into the matter at hand. Scientific inquiry is a rather open-ended activity whose flexibility and the holism in its meanings suggest that scientific inquiry is a comprehensively formal process that distorts a subject and makes it the object of discussion (Dick, 1998). Naïve inquiry does not seek evidence and may not necessarily be factual. By these standards, scientific inquiry differs substantially from naïve inquiry as the former offers factual results, while the latter delivers unfounded results.

How does this relate back to the notion of evidence-based management?  Another purpose of theory is to inform behavior. This is because, after the realization of a few facts, one can easily formulate a thought about the nature of the subject. Further research into the subject matter allows the theory to gain additional merit thus becoming either accepted or rejected. This relates back to management as it dictates organizational behavior, as well as management principles. In conclusion, theories are used to describe what is meant to happen or what is possible, especially when there is an implication that the occurrence does not necessarily happen.

The assertion that things can only get better in theory while, in practice, they can get worse is implicit of the wavering nature of theory. References Dick, B. (1998). "Abstraction, and Theories" in Occasional Pieces in Action Research Methodology, 7. Retrieved from http://www.scu.edu.au/schools/gcm/ar/arm/op007.html Hayakawa, S. I. (1979). Language in thought and action (4th ed.). New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.  Rousseau, D. M. (2006). “Is there Such a Theory As “Evidence –Based Management”?

Academy of Management Review, 31(2). Stockdale (1979). "An Essay on Levels of Abstraction," at ThisIsNotThat.com. Retrieved from http://thisisnotthat.com/learn/litaa.html