Hi Although the verbiage might have a simple, acceptable interpretation, that is not necessarily the case. Here is an alternative paraphrase (just based on limited exposure to these specific ideas, and much exposure to possibly related ideas).
The paraphrase: "There are many equally valid ways of coming to understand the world. It is presumptuous of any one way to think that it has a better (i.e., more valid) approach. What we need is for each way of knowing to be equally humble about what it has to offer and to recognize the legitimacy of diverse approaches. The diverse approaches include intuition, religious revelation, cultural traditions, and the like ... oh yes, science and reason constitute another approach as well, although not one at all superior to revealing the truth (presuming such a thing is possible). What we need is a dialogue or narrative that amalgamates these alternative approaches in an egalitarian manner, rather than an attempt by any perspective to elevate itself above the other ways of knowing." I don't find this translation, if valid, particularly inocuous. Take care Jim James M. Clark Professor of Psychology 204-786-9757 204-774-4134 Fax [EMAIL PROTECTED] >>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] 11-Jan-07 9:58:07 AM >>> Thanks Bill. Wow, that is a wonderful explanation of what on the surface is alot of gobbledy gook. But why the need for all that verbiage to make a simple point? I stand by my earlier position that ed psych folks are alienating themselves by the use of too much jargon and their point is being lost on my readers. They have some great points to make but they are completely buried and I believe, ignored by most readers who are turned off by all of this language that requires you to be in the inner circle to understand it. My admonition to education and ed psych people is to lighten up and open up. If I have a hard time reading their work, I imagine it's quite the challenge for the average person-on-the-street who just wants to be confident his kids are getting a good education. I don't have greater confidence when I come across things I can't make sense of, I have less, because IMHO truly great minds can communicate with anyone, c.f. Sagan, who could teach the simplest person to think critically to Pinker, who can put insomniacs to sleep. And I am equally hard on psychologists, BTW. This all smacks of politics getting involved someplace.... Annette Annette Kujawski Taylor, Ph.D. Professor of Psychology University of San Diego 5998 Alcala Park San Diego, CA 92110 619-260-4006 [EMAIL PROTECTED] ---- Original message ---- >Date: Wed, 10 Jan 2007 18:59:51 -0500 >From: "William Scott" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Subject: [tips] Re: education jargon >To: "Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS)" <[email protected]> > >The Schrag reference is: >The Resources of Rationality: A Response to the Postmodern Challenge >by Calvin O. Schrag (Indiana U. Press, 1992) > >Here's a description of Schrag's notion of transversal rationality from >http://theoblogy.blogspot.com/2005_03_01_archive.html > >So transversal rationality acknowledges the many rationalities at play >in a pluralistic environment. As a method, it proposes that we look for >intersections between rationalities -- "transversal" means "to lie >across" -- and enter into dialogue at those concrete, situated moments >... We must do so, however, with "epistemic humility;" that is, we need >to be open to theoretical correction. And our results will be judged in >moments of "praxial critique," in which the practical wisdom that comes >out of the situation is tested in future, real-life situations. > > >Hope that helps. > >Bill > > > > > >>>> <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 01/10/07 6:31 PM >>> >OK: following up on a recent discussion involving jargon in educational >psych, I just got my latest issue of the TCR (Teacher's College Record), >an electronic journal devoted to educational issues. Here is the first >sentence of an abstract: > >"Employing Calvin O. Schrag's response to postmodernism-transversal >rationality engaged through praxial critique-the constructive side of >postmodern theories can be highlighted in higher education while at the >same time answering the pundits who see little to no constructive side >to postmodern theories." > >AARRGGHH--I spend inordinate amounts of time teaching my students to >speak so that ANYONE can understand what they have to say. And, of >course, this assumes that we ALL know who Calvin O. Schrag is, and what >his response is to. > >What is going on in the field of education? > >Annette > > >Annette Kujawski Taylor, Ph.D. >Professor of Psychology >University of San Diego >5998 Alcala Park >San Diego, CA 92110 >619-260-4006 >[EMAIL PROTECTED] > >--- >To make changes to your subscription go to: >http://acsun.frostburg.edu/cgi-bin/lyris.pl?enter=tips&text_mode=0&lang=english > > > >--- >To make changes to your subscription go to: >http://acsun.frostburg.edu/cgi-bin/lyris.pl?enter=tips&text_mode=0&lang=english > --- To make changes to your subscription go to: http://acsun.frostburg.edu/cgi-bin/lyris.pl?enter=tips&text_mode=0&lang=english --- To make changes to your subscription go to: http://acsun.frostburg.edu/cgi-bin/lyris.pl?enter=tips&text_mode=0&lang=english
