Making meanings… making respons-able worlds A relational constructionist narrative

Scientific paradigms science = one way of knowing scientific paradigms: Naïve realism Critical realism Relational Constructionism …

4 themes reality & relations language interest

(Naïve) realism reality & relations –singular, universal, ‘object out there’ –available to be known by separate subject –Subject-Object relations sense data language –re-presents the world interest: knowing ‘the world as it really is’

Critical realism sense data – basis for –‘perception’ …as constructive sense making –knower combines what it is ‘in the head’ with what is in the world unquestioned: –role of language, 1 single reality (world) ‘out there’ –separate person & world, individual agent

Relational constructionism social realities: –achievements produced in inter-actions –i.e., co-constructions neither subjective nor objective but relational –multiple and ongoing –> or < local language: –is action, is performative –is a local cultural practice interests: –what & how of making realities

The ‘how’ of making realities focus: –on becoming (rather than being) i.e., on the –ongoing relational or co-construction of –self - other & relationship constructing Self-Other & relation –as Subject-Object? –other possibilities?

constructing S-O relations 1 acting in ways that make other an Object –to be known (by Self) –to be influenced (by Self) –to be used as an instrument (by Self - in relation to what Self defines as ‘real and good’) examples: –having visions – for Other –not listening to, silencing, excommunicating Other –intensive farming, colonialism…

constructing S-O relations 2 individual responsibility –care of the (separate) self –individual freedom –relationship becomes an arti-fact (artificial) (re)constructing –property, individual rights, individual (ir)rationality –fools, heretics, wrongdoers… –to blame, punish, ex-communicate, so –change individuals &/or the constraints on their actions

reframing relating my interest: –practical know-how –relational response-ability response-able processes that: –are open to multiple constructions of what is real & good –are reflexive about what & how –are generative (of possibilities) –create ‘power to’ go on in different but equal relations

Babel: a confusion of tongues Example: Constructing the Foot & Mouth Disaster in the UK –many voices, little listening, little dialogue –dominant discourses, voice of Science, rationality, facts… –right-wrong –power over Other

Babel as multiple dialogues & listening co-constructing realities –not individual action & responsibility, & –not consensus decision-making sharing con-texts –stories not abstract data differences –treated as natural, & –as good data

Generating ‘power to’ – for a change bring all your relations to work! –give voice to your multiple identities widen the margins of participation –dialogue with unheard, silent, or silenced others focus on possibilities, not problems dialogue not debate –un-settling, space clearing, open listening…