Thanks to all the tipsters who responded to my post regarding the Harry
Potter books. I am looking forward to reading them myself. Most of the
replies by people who have actually read the books have been positive, with
many pointing to the fun, adventure, and imaginativeness (or lack) of the
character. My impression is that they are probably relevant to the
challenges and feelings children may deal with today, and are probably more
valuable than some of the gruesome old fairy tales we were exposed to as
kids. I find the Christian fundamentalist view unfortunate, but not
unexpected. I have colleagues of this persuasion also afraid of the
critical thinking movement. I think all of this would make for some
valuable discussion in a class involving psychology and contemporary
literature, or pop culture and media influence.
Magical thinking (below, from Jeff Ricker), is more grounded in the
mundane struggles of apprehending the world, and I feel it remains a basis
for common understanding in all cultures. Yet, I hesitate to say it is
opposite critical thinking because I don't feel critical thinking is so
removed or "above" our natural efforts to seek pattern, understanding, or
meaning. Whether tied to "magical thinking" or not, good literature (IMO),
like good scientific work, utilizes imagination to promote new
understandings. I want to promote in our students a love of real mystery
and not mere strangeness (See Sherlock Holmes 'A Study in Scarlet'). I
think we can help them differentiate between imaginative interpretations
about the world with reasoned knowledge of the world. The sense of mystery
in the Potter books may just promote a valuable sense of wonder and
adventure.
I share Jeff's concern over some popular literature. I ask whether
literature or art provides a celebration of imagination or merely serves to
debase the wonderful capacity for critical reflection. Does the work
cheapen our sense of mystery and wonder? Somewhere (I lost the reference),
Einstein said, "The fairest thing we can experience is the mysterious: It
is the fundamental emotion which stands at the cradle of true art and true
science."
Haack. S. (1997) Science, scientism, and antiscience in the age of
preposterism. __Skeptical Inquirer,__ 21(6), 37-42, 60.
Haddam, J. (1996) Art, reason, and reality. __Skeptical Inquirer,__
20(5), 57-59.
Peterson, G. L. (1998). The debasement of reason and realism in the
Academy. Presentation at Michigan Academy of Arts, Science, and Letters.
March 27, Alma College.
Gary Peterson
Jeff Ricker wrote:
>I suppose this increase in popular presentations of superstition for
children
>parallels the presentations meant for adults. Magical thinking is the
opposite
>of critical thinking; and magical thinking seems much more inherent to us
than
>the critical kind: we don't have to teach magical thinking in our courses
since
>our students are already very good at it.
>
>Jeff
>
>>"The truth is rare and never simple."
> Oscar Wilde
>
>"There are no dumb questions, just dumb people asking questions."
> Randy Cassingham
>
>
