[Xmca-l] Re: Article for Discussion

[Larry Purss]

Jennifer and Kim,
This months article is sure to generate conversation.
The 2nd paragraph on page 358 caught my attention.
"Ethnographic evidence showed the children's justifications for their
claims fell into four categories: experience, text, authority and
reasoning. .... over time, justification for claims based on reasoning
increased. The nature and the content of the dialogue transformed through
group members practising in dialogue with each other."

The question this generates concerns the notion of *space* of reasons. I
hear a transfiguration from *foundational rule based* space TO *dialogical
space* OF reasons.

However are there other possible *spaces* of reason beyond either
foundational or dialogical *spaces* of reason. For example *situational
spaces* or *creative spaces* OF reason.
Using a dramatical metaphor or table metaphor could the dialogical *space
of reasons* be a particular type of situation  as answer to foundational
rule based reason, but the deeper truth is that we are setting the table
for multiple fluid "spaces* of reasoning. To justify claims may be deeply
implicated WITHIN plural notions of *spaces*.
Not either foundational or dialogical *spaces* but expanding to multiple
mixtures of various notions of reasons.
This in no way questions dialogical spaces of reason [as thinking] but
invites deeper exploration to how we orient to these multiple *spaces*
[each of which offers justifications.]

To describe justification as re- semblance to a board game focuses
attention on the RULES of the game. THIS is a norm based image of
reasoning justifying moving *points* on the board as preconceived
grid. Situational *spaces* of reason are more creative *spaces* of
justification that are also historically implicated but more open to
novelty.
The question of justification is complicated and the relation of the 4
types of justification far more entangled than reason [foundational or
dialogical] overcoming the other 3 types assumes.

The orientation moving away from foundational spaces of reason to
dialogical spaces of reason is a profound transfiguration. It opens the
space of reason to creative novelty. It is possible to continue going
deeper to explore the profound depth of situations as *spaces* of reason.

This months journal is moving across traditions and authorities and
experiences. The concept of *situational* spaces is the Pragmatic
tradition. Philosophical hermeneutics uses the concept *spaces of play*.
Are concepts merely *resources* or do they exhibit other characteristics?.
Dewey explored two notions of "have"
A possessive "have" and a relational "have" [We have a friend]. We cannot
possess *spaces* These *third* spaces have us and we *undergo* experiences
WITHIN these spaces.

The *space* of reasons also has this quality of being more than "resources"
to use in our practices of justification. Reasons are more than tools of
self management and self discipline. They are also *spaces* which have us.

Reason is being re-thought and re-worked and will need multiple *settings*
to stage this activity. The space of reasons as dialogical is one
particular and valid and true space of justification. It is not the only
space.
Generating notions of *situations* and *spaces of play* and *zones* are
speaking this multi-verse being acted out as dramas.

The after school setting created a particular situation opening up a
particular stage like *space* for generating particular types of
justification. It was a *third* space in which the dialogical comes to the
foreground. Ground is a fluid concept as is the concept of *concrete*
experience. Creative worlds emerge or unfold within these *spaces* but they
are not fundamentally grounded or permanently rule based. These worlds are
foregrounded and backgrounded within particular situations [spaces of play]
but they are primarily unknown on their way to be/coming known without end.





On Fri, Oct 30, 2015 at 9:44 AM, Vadeboncoeur, Jennifer <
j.vadeboncoeur@ubc.ca> wrote:

> Dear XMCAers,
>
> The special issue of Mind, Culture, and Activity on Engaged Philosophical
> Inquiry is up and running.
>
> http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/hmca20/current
>
> Kim Skinner, author of Acts of thinking: At school but not during school,
> has graciously agreed to make herself available for dialogue about her
> article on XMCA.
>
> If you have a moment to access and review the article, perhaps we can
> begin discussion early or mid next week?
>
> Best to all, jen
>
>
>
>