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The 'postmodern condition,' in which instrumentalism finally usurps all other considerations, has produced a kind of intellectual paralysis in the world of education. The authors of this book show how such postmodernist thinkers as Derrida, Foucault, and Lyotard illuminate puzzling aspects of education, arguing that educational theory is currently at an impasse. They postulate that we need these new and disturbing ideas in order to "think again" fruitfully and creatively about education.
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A later lithograph of the painting is accompanied with some verses to the following effect: Charming child, absorbed in play, we smile at your precarious efforts. But, just between ourselves, which is more solid— our project, or your house of cards? THINKING AGAIN Education After Postmodernism Nigel Blake, Paul Smeyers, Richard Smith, and Paul Standish Critical Studies in Education and Culture Series Edited by Henry A. Giroux BERGIN & GARVEY Westport, Connecticut • London Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Thinking again : education after postmodernism / by Nigel Blake . . . [et al.]. p. cm.—(Critical studies in education and culture series. ISSN 1064-8615) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0-89789-511-8 (alk. paper).—ISBN 0-89789-512-6 (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. Education—Philosophy. 2. Education—Great Britain— Philosophy. 3. Postmodernism and education. 4. Postmodernism and education—Great Britain. I. Blake, Nigel. II. Series. LB14.7.T55 1998 370'. 1—^dc21 97-27886 British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data is available. Copyright © 1998 by Nigel Blake, Paul Smeyers, Richard Smith, and Paul Standish All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, by any process or technique, without the express written consent of the publisher. Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 97-27886 ISBN: 0-89789-511-8 0-89789-512-6 (pbk.) ISSN: 1064-8615 First published in 1998 Bergin & Garvey, 88 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06881 An imprint of Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc. Printed in the United States of America The paper used in this book complies with the Permanent Paper Standard issued by the National Information Standards Organization (Z39.48-1984). 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Copyright Acknowledgments The authors and publisher gratefully acknowledge permission for use of the following material: "TheErrand" from The Spirit Level by Seamus Heaney. Copyright © 1996 by Seamus Heaney. Reprinted by permission of Farrar, Straus & Giroux, Inc. and Faber and Faber Ltd. We'll Meet Again by Ross Parker and Hughie Charles. Copyright © 1939 (Renewed) by Irwin Dash Music Co., Ltd. All rights for the Western Hemisphere controlled by Music Sales Corporation. International Copyright Secured. All Rights Reserved. Reprinted by Permission. Frontispiece: Jean-Siméon Chardin. The House of Cards. Reproduced with permission of The Trustees of the National Gallery, London. Contents Series Foreword by Henry A. Giroux Acknowledgments ix xiii Retrospect 1 1. Poststructuralism and the Spectre of Relativism 7 2. Foundations Demolished, Sovereigns Deposed: The New Politics of Knowledge 21 3. The Ascription of Identity 35 4. Literacy Under the Microscope 47 5. Shifting, Shifted, ... Shattered: The Ethical Self 59 6. Giving Someone a Lesson 81 7. Telling Stories Out of School 91 8. The Responsibility of Desire 111 9. Folly, Words, Wigs, Rags 131 10. Learning by Heart 145 11. The Learning Pharmacy 157 12. Reading Education 175 Prospect 185 References 191 Author Index 197