Date: Sun, 23 Nov 1997 19:59:28 +0800
From: David Geelan <bravus-AT-innocent.com>
Subject: Re: PKF: Identification


Wai Fung wrote:

> We try to discuss here and exchange our ideas. But
> sometimes I see, how we just identify ourselves to something. Is it the
> only way that we put our thinking in function? Sometimes I doubt such kind
> of Identifications. How much these identifications can represent us?
> 
>                 I like PFK and am glad that I have chance to share ideas
> with other people here! 

It's an intriguing problem, isn't it? When we label ourselves, how much
does it limit both our own thinking, and the way others construe our
ideas?

I tend to identify myself as a 'constructivist' when it comes to talking
about epistemology, but I'm gradually learning not to just default to
that perspective and ignore all others. But it takes a while: perhaps
all of us have to 'convert' quite dramatically to a new perspective,
like a new convert to a religion, or someone who has given up smoking.
We see only our new perspective for a while, but as we mature we come to
have a more balanced, or at least a dialectical, understanding of 'our'
position and the alternatives.

But the second part of the problem is how others perceive us: if I
identify myself as a Christian, a science educator and chemist, a white
male Australian in his 30s, etc., etc., does this change the validity of
my opinions, or conjure up a constellation of expectations in your mind?

Perhaps this e-mail context helps with this: it is possible to assume
another identity. Perhaps I am really a Tibetan Buddhist woman in my
70s. Or a venerable professor of philosophy who does not wish to add
authority to my words simply by age and position. Or a sixteen year old
prodigy...

I've recently been reminded again that one of PKF's most important
contributions was to encourage us to challenge our labels and our
taken-for-granted assumptions. Hopefully we do manage to do some of this
in this list.

Regards,

David

-- 
David R. Geelan, Science & Maths Education Centre, Curtin University
GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA, 6107. Ph: +618 9266 3594 Fax: +618 9266 2503
Home Page: http://alpha7.curtin.edu.au/~pgeelandr/bravus.htm
Perfect love casts out fear. 1 John 4:18
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