Session Information
17 SES 13 B (JS), Processes of Borrowing in Education and its Sciences – Historical Perspectives (Part 1)
Joint Symposium of NW 17 and NW 23, second part in 23 SES 14 B
Contribution
The aim of this article is to highlight a number of professional situations in which we have to be aware of our folk-theories and the tendency of idolisation. Bacon (1620) speaks of four classes of Idols which besets human minds; false notions that have deep roots in man and her understanding of the world. A parallel is drawn between idols and folk-theories, the later picked up from popular culture and used in our daily efforts to make sense of events and actions. Both have the same origin as inborn dispositions and are developed trough culture and language. The use of folk-theories is however not, as Bacon argues regarding Idols, discussed in terms of extermination or combat. Folk-theories are a part of our existence and serve us quite well. So what is then the problem? The use of folk-theories is inappropriate when they turn in to Idols used in wrong contexts. Focus is on contexts were professionals have to handle lots of information, and therefore mostly are obliged to folk-theoretical thinking. Lipskys concept “street-level bureaucrats” capture parts of this phenomenon, including a broad spectrum of civil positions.
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