ABSTRACT
Critical dualism suggested to the author a way of establishing a classificatory framework which would help research workers to identify relevant conditions and make statements about them. The 'critical dualism' or 'critical conventionalism' described in The Open Society seemed to the author to take fully into account man's responsibility not only for the beliefs and values he is prepared to accept but for the institutions he sets up and operates. In drawing up a pattern of normative statements theories of knowledge, individuality and society serve as classificatory criteria. The tests of coherence in relation to normative patterns are logical. Relationship statements are also needed if the institutional pattern is to be useful. Practically any new constitution or new piece of legislation is likely to disturb the coherence of an ideal-typical national normative pattern for reasons which should become clear when the characteristics of two other patterns – the institutional and mental states – are discussed.
