O'Donnell, Aislinn
(2012)
Thinking-in-concert.
Ethics and Education, 7 (3).
pp. 261-275.
ISSN 1744-9642
Abstract
In this essay, I examine the concept of thinking in Hannah Arendt’s writings.
Arendt’s interest in the experience of thinking allowed her to develop a concept
of thinking that is distinct from other forms of mental activity such as cognition
and problem solving. For her, thinking is an unending, unpredictable and
destructive activity without fixed outcomes. Her understanding of thinking is
distinguished from other approaches to thinking that equate it with, for example,
problem solving or knowledge. Examples of a ‘problem-solving’, skills-based
approach to thinking that place a premium on behavioural change are drawn
from the context of the prison. I offer an alternative example of thinking with
others from my philosophy classes in the prison. I draw upon Arendt’s insights to
develop a concept of ‘thinking-in-concert’. Whilst Arendt believes that thinking
must be a solitary activity, I argue that the concept of ‘thinking-in-concert’ helps
to capture experiences of thinking with others in a manner that is more hesitant
and provisional than some descriptions of communities of enquiry or democratic
education. The embodied presence of others matters when ‘thinking-in-concert’.
I describe this approach as educational as well as conversational. This helps to
communicate the way in which we turn towards others and may be pulled up
short by them as we strive to think together or experience moments of
conversion or insight whilst enjoying the ordinary activity of talking with others.
This concept may help us to understand the difference between the experience of
thinking, teaching and learning when we are physically present to one another
and the experience of virtual learning or teaching.
| Item Type: |
Article
|
| Keywords: |
conversation; subjectification; thinking with others; thinking skills;
Hannah Arendt; prison education; experience; |
| Academic Unit: |
Faculty of Social Sciences > Education |
| Item ID: |
8610 |
| Identification Number: |
https://doi.org/10.1080/17449642.2013.767003 |
| Depositing User: |
Prof Aislinn O'Donnell
|
| Date Deposited: |
15 Aug 2017 15:46 |
| Journal or Publication Title: |
Ethics and Education |
| Publisher: |
Taylor & Francis |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| URI: |
|
| Use Licence: |
This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available
here |
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