Does Non-dualism Imply an Approach to Power? Non-dualizing Epistemology and the Political

Danelzik, Mathis

Volume 3 · Number 3 · Pages 214–220

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Does Non-dualism Imply an Approach to Power? Non-dualizing Epistemology and the Political

Mathis Danelzik

Abstract

Problem: The question of the moral and social effects of non-dualism has not yet been clarified to the necessary extent. The relation of truth claims, power and violence has been simplified; critical questions of non-dualist practises have not yet been addressed. Approach: By discussing relevant philosophy and political theory, this paper draws the attention of non-realists towards the issues of power, conflict and discourse rules and asks to rethink the issue of the pragmatic justification of non-realist epistemology. Findings: (1) Constructivists, as well as the non-dualist Josef Mitterer, are critical of the discursive effects of truth claims. Yet, neither constructivism nor non-dualism solve the power issues that are ascribed to realism by constructivists and dualism by Mitterer. Even if participants abstained from truth claims in discourses, many of the power issues would still be prevalent. (2) The question arises of whether a practical difference between non-dualism and dualism exists. (3) There is a tendency in constructivist and non-dualist theory to regard any form of influence on others as illegitimate. This tendency is not sound. Instead, the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate power is necessary in non-dualism as well. Implications: Constructivist and non-dualist theory need to scrutinise statements about the moral implications of the respective theories and to emphasise power issues not solely by extrapolating from epistemology, but by acknowledging the social dynamics of discourses and conflicts. Non-dualist social scientists could contribute to the discussion through empirical analyses of the effects of the use and the debunking of truth claims.

Key words: hegemony, power, moral, strategic essentialism, relativism, tolerance

Citation

Danelzik M. (2008) Does non-dualism imply an approach to power? Non-dualizing epistemology and the political. Constructivist Foundations 3(3): 214–220. http://constructivist.info/3/3/214

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