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Questions for discussion. Please jot down your ideas on this topics for class. 1. Positivism is that branch of philsophy that contends sense perceptions are the only admissable basis of human knowledge and precise thought. In other words, positivists search for absolute truths found through absolute means, determined usually through scientific experiment or mathematical proofs. Dewey had great faith in scientific method as did Plato and Descartes. As a result, Dewey encouraged a science-driven curriculum. In light of today's growing emphasis on the greater value of science, math and technology, describe some of the possible problems with this way of thinking. 2. Descartes has been heavily criticized for setting society on too scientific a course which has in turn precipitated a greater trend towards instrumental thinking. Charles Taylor has described three "malaises of modernity" which are 1) individualism or a lack of connection to one another; 2) instrumental reason, or maximum efficiency that leads to the best cost-effective output as the measure of success in life; and 3) political apathy that is ripe for exploitation and can lead to a loss of freedom. Do you think Descartes is being unfairly criticized in light of Taylor's concerns? 3. Lyotard takes this idea further and says that because of an emphasis on science, the way we view knowledge is altered. Knowledge in our time is seen more and more as a commodity. Computers, for instance, are transforming the nature of knowledge. Data that can be stored will survive into the future. Things that cannot be transformed into code will not. Lyotard asks, what about narratives? |