Knowledges Interchange
Recognizing the plurality of our knowledges, and anticipating the positive outcomes from the interchangeArchive for Worsley on Knowledges
Considering Pinciple 1 of the Framework
The first principle that I began to consider some time ago is the that knowledge is not a singular entity. During my many years in the s0-called traditional education system, I used to speak confidently about the need to ensure that learning experiences addressed the development of Skills (in the plural) and Attitudes (in the plural) and Knowledge (in the singular!).
I didn’t think about the imbalance until I began to be more vocal in my criticism of the Industrial Age model of schooling, and to question out loud the use of the word pedagogy to describe all kinds of processes. I’ll get back to the “p” word another time. But for now I’d like to problematize the word knowledge in the singular.
In this millenium, all thoughtful people recognize the pluralism in our society. I have referenced the work of Worsley, and as this blog evolves I will refer to other authorities who raise the issue of multiple knowledges. Yet, even though we acknowledge our many ways of knowing in daily dealings, the word knowledge is invariably used in the singular. For example, if you search for knowledge in Wikipedia, we discover that many meanings are provided (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knowledge ). On the other hand, if you search for knowledges with an “s” you’ll be told that nothing exists — but you’re welcome to create a new entry. It’s on my To Do list.
Introducing Worsley on Knowledges
Of course, I’m not the only person who thinks of knowledges in the plural. Peter Worsley’s 1997 publication is entitled simply Knowledges. I will be referring to comments in this book over time, but I wanted to introduce it here as a useful reference for people who share my interest. The full title of the work is Knowledges: Culture, counterculture, subculture, and that is a strong hint that Worsley’s area of study is anthropology. His work is based on a comparison of various characteristics of Australian Aboriginal culture with those same characteristics in various other cultures. For example, he compares forms of healing in different countries and traditions. He concludes, as do I that: “Knowledge, then, is necessarily plural: there are knowledges, not simply Knowledge with a capital K (p.10).”
