Sunday, November 06, 2005

Multiple ignorances

First we get "multiple intelligences." Now the rage is "multiple perspectives." From INTASC and numerous other educationist outfits we get "dispositions" that extol the virtue of "multiple perspectives."

The teacher appreciates multiple perspectives and conveys to learners how knowledge is developed from the vantage point of the knower.

The teacher appreciates and values human diversity, shows respect for students’ varied talents and perspectives, and is committed to the pursuit of “individually configured excellence.”
What is it with these "multiple perspectives?" It seems to me that at the bottom of this excitement is this postmodern notion that evidence, scholarship, objectivity and truth are illusory. There are only perpectives -- influenced, no doubt, by some "power" considerations.

This is dangerous drivel. What would stand in the way to conferring to creationism and to Holocaust denial the status of just another, equally valid, "multiple perspective?"

It would be much more appropriate to talk about "multiple ignorances."

UPDATE: See Chris Correa for a thoughtful examination of dispositions.

2 comments:

NYC Educator said...

"...from the vantage point of the knower..."

Maybe these folks should retire from writing texts and take up bad poetry. They could do less harm, call themselves artists, and take pride in being ignored by us, the great confederacy of dunces who simply want to help kids.

Instructivist said...

"...from the vantage point of the knower..."

I have had sleepless nights puzzling over this one.

"Maybe these folks should retire from writing texts and take up bad poetry. They could do less harm, call themselves artists, and take pride in being ignored by us, the great confederacy of dunces who simply want to help kids."

LOL