Moro Kort Kheav

IR 401
Reflection paper
What it means to think theoretically

Thinking logically or critically has always been a topic of discussion in academic research;
however, theoretical thinking or thinking theoretically has been barely mentioned, from what I’ve
noticed. Is this because it’s unpopular among learners, or because it's not teachable? The
answer is probably both, or maybe neither. Humbly speaking, nothing can be taught unless the
individual strives on their own to succeed. Along the process, it takes time, effort, and
commitment to achieve the end. Additionally, it depends on the individual’s nature; for example,
some are fortunate enough to be born with a talent, while others must practice continuously until
they develop one. The same applies to theoretical thinking: some are born with it, while others
must be trained and learn along the way until it becomes a habit, finally achieving or sustaining
a genuinely theoretical perspective. Since it’s challenging to achieve, James Rosenau, the
American political scientist and international affairs scholar, listed nine precondition mental
quality disciplines for creative theorizing.

To think theoretically, one must avoid treating the task as merely formulating an appropriate
definition of theory. Instead, the focus should be on having a clear and relative conception of the
nature of theory. Developing such definitional clarity is not a necessary requirement for creative
theorizing and may lead to undesired expectations and confusion. Moreover, one must be clear
about whether they aspire to empirical theory or value theory, as the distinctions between the
two are crucial. Furthermore, to think theoretically, one must assume that human affairs are
founded on an underlying order, meaning that every event has its respective reasons, creating a
cause-effect relationship in human affairs. Consequently, events, especially international
phenomena, are theoretically explicable as long as there is a deep understanding of their
dynamics and appropriate measuring instruments. One must also be predisposed to ask about
every event, situation, or observed phenomenon, “of what is it an instance?” and discern every
event as an instance of a larger phenomenon/category, understanding its pattern as well.
Additionally, one must appreciate the need to sacrifice detailed descriptions for broad
observations, generalizing theories instead of particularizing them.

Moreover, one must be tolerant of ambiguity, concerned about probabilities, and distrustful of
absolutes. According to Rosenau, those with low tolerance of ambiguity and a high desire for
certainty often fail to think theoretically. To think theoretically, one must be playful about
international phenomena, allowing the mind to run freely with anomalies and assuming
unrealistic conditions to observe the outcomes. Similarly, one must be genuinely puzzled by
international phenomena. Lastly, one must be constantly ready to be proven wrong, not fearing
or being embarrassed when confronted with inaccuracies in theorizing, as there is always a
knowledge-building process subsequent to mistakes.

In conclusion, creative theorizing with theoretical thinking is an important area of discussion,

especially for learning purposes. However, it may not be meant for everyone, as not everyone
automatically thinks theoretically. There's no simple way or shortcut to develop the habit of
thinking theoretically like a theoretician. Nevertheless, if one is committed to following the nine
preconditions suggested by James Rosenau, it will yield positive results to some extent.