Connecting Radical Constructivism to Social Transformation and Design
Laurence D. Richards
Log in to download the full text for free
> Citation
> Similar
> References
> Add Comment
Abstract
Purpose: This paper intends to connect ideas from the radical constructivist approach to cognition and learning to ideas from the constraint-theoretic approach to social policy formulation. It then extends these ideas to a dialogic approach to social transformation and design. Method: After demonstrating a correspondence between von Glasersfeld’s fit/match distinction and my constraint-oriented/goal-oriented distinction with respect to policy formulation, the paper evaluates the basic assumptions of radical constructivism and builds from them a framework for thinking and talking about a desirable society and ways to participate in its realization. Findings: The ideas of von Glasersfeld’s radical constructivism contribute significantly to the development of a conceptual base for applied research on social activism by raising new questions and stimulating new thinking. Practical implications: Social activism in everyday affairs can be a way of living in the “world.” Conclusion: The work and thought of Ernst von Glasersfeld opens a path toward a rich array of concepts and ideas with the potential to inform efforts in a wide variety of human endeavors.
Key words: constructivism, cybernetics, language, dialogic process, social activism
Citation
Richards L. D. (2007) Connecting radical constructivism to social transformation and design. Constructivist Foundations 2(2-3): 129–135. http://constructivist.info/2/2-3/129
Export article citation data:
Plain Text ·
BibTex ·
EndNote ·
Reference Manager (RIS)
Similar articles
References
Allison G. T. (1971) Essence of decision: Explaining the Cuban missile crisis. Little, Brown, Boston.
▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Bateson G. (1972) Cybernetic explanation. In: Bateson G., Steps to an ecology of mind. Ballantine Books, New York: 399–410.
▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Brün, H. (2003) Irresistable observations. Non Sequitor Press, Champaign, Illinois.
▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Dym C. & Levitt R. (1991) Knowledge-based systems in engineering. McGraw-Hill, New York.
▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Friedman G. (1976) Constraint theory: An overview. International Journal of Systems Science 7: 1113–1151.
▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Glasersfeld E. von (1988) An exposition of radical constructivism. In: Donaldson R. (ed.) Texts in cybernetic theory. American Society for Cybernetics conference workbook, Felton CA: III.1–III.25.
▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Krippendorff K. (1979) On the identification of structures in multivariate data by the spectral analysis of relations. Proceedings of the XXIII Annual North American Meeting of the Society for General Systems Research, Houston TX: 82–91.
▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Maturana H. R. (1988) Ontology of observing: The biological foundations of self consciousness and the physical domain of existence. In: Donaldson R. (ed.) Texts in cybernetic theory. American Society for Cybernetics conference workbook, Felton CA: IV.1–IV.53.
▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Pask G. (1987) Conversation and support. Inaugural address for the guest professorship in general andragology at the University of Amsterdam.
▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Richards L. & Young R. (1996) Propositions on cybernetics and social transformation: Implications of von Foerster’s non-trivial machine for knowledge processes. Systems Research 13(3): 363–369.
▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Richards L. (1977) Beyond planning: Controllability vs. predictability. Proceedings of the XXI Annual North American Meeting of the Society for General Systems Research, Denver CO: 314–323.
▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Richards L. (1978) Constraint theory: A framework for social modelling. Proceedings of the XXII Annual North American Meeting of the Society for General Systems Research, Washington DC: 379–388.
▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Richards L. (1987) Untangling the dilemmas of social design. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Society for Cybernetics: Urbana IL. Unpublished manuscript available from the author.
▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Richards L. (1988) Constraint theory: A radical departure for the practice of modelling. Paper presented at the Second US-USSR Conference on Systems Theory and Management: Tallin (Estonia). Unpublished manuscript available from the author.
▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Richards L. (1996) Analysis of robustness in the formulation of technology strategy. Engineering Management Journal 8(4): 21–32.
▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Richards L. (1997) An agenda for participation. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Society for Cybernetics: Urbana IL. Unpublished manuscript available from the author.
▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Richards L. (2001) The praxis of thinking: Deliberate vs. improvised. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Society for Cybernetics: Vancouver BC. Unpublished manuscript available from the author.
▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Steinbruner J. D. (1974) The cybernetic theory of decision: New dimensions of political analysis. Princeton University Press, New Jersey.
▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Comments: 0
To stay informed about comments to this publication and post comments yourself, please log in first.