principle of symmetry

is a principle that is supposed to ensure that the study is not biased by knowledge of the outcome.

The constructivist 'principle of symmetry' is supposed to insure that the study of technological controversies is not biased by knowledge of the outcome (Bloor, 1976: 7). Typically, the bias appears in popular understanding as an 'asymmetrical' evaluation of the two sides of the controversy, ascribing 'reason' to the winners and 'prejudice,' 'emotion,' 'stubbornness,' 'venality,' or some other irrational motive to the losers. But a similar bias is also presupposed by such basic concepts of modernity theory as rationalization and ideology. These concepts appear to be cancelled by the principle of symmetry.(Feenberg 2003 : html)

principle of symmetry, n.Definitions

principle of symmetry