Critical Theory Flashcards
Describe Systems Theory & Aim.
Aim - to study things as whole & solve problems
Systems can be economical, political & anything that helps us to understand who we are (example - enneagram)
Problem-centred - views world & human activity as problem-solving.
Look at problems from different perspectives.
Believes Problems are complex & can understand more about problems
Not critical of society or ideologic like Critical Theory
All systems are part of other systems:
Society - Education - a person’s systems.
How should problems be resolved using Systems Theory?
By asking:
- Where does the system fit into the total environment?
- How do the components of system fit together?
- What helps system work & what prevents it from working more efficiently?
- What is the goal of the system?
History of Critical Theory
Originates from Germany 1930
Jewish people concerned with Nazism
Describe Critical Theory & Aim
Aim - Concerned with changing or beating system
Believe that any power structure is dangerous & destructive
Power structures control economy & society & influence the way we think.
Power structures take away our freedom.
Believe technology & media prevents us from seeing problems.
Never be happy until we are no longer controlled by systems of power
-Believe can give us real understanding of society.
What would happen if we ignored Critical Theory?
If we ignored Critical Theory we will continue to live our lives according to the way those power want us to live our lives.
Name the most famous version of Critical Theory & Explain what its focus
Marxism - most famous verson of Critical Theory
-Wants to rid world of inequalities.
Which Philosophies does Critical Theory Influence?
Marxism
Feminism (women’s rights)
Black rights movements
Some postmodernist thinking
Socialism
Main Ideas of Critical Theory
- Ethics are important
- Criticism of power structures
- Focus on power games
- Wants to liberate everyone from oppression
- Knowledge created by humans
Critical Theory Teaching & Learning
- Critical Principals &
- Methods of instruction
Everybody has a voice
- Critical thinking - against marginalisation
Proponents of Critical Theory
Jesus of Nazareth Buddha Moses Mohammed Michel Foucault Karl Marx
Advantages of Theoretical Theory
- Realistically assess power structures
- Identify those who have power & those who don’t
- Identify weaknesses in existing power relations
- Define own personal power & weaknesses
- re-examine priorities
- re-assess lives
Disadvantages of Critical Theory
- can be fanatical
- can be too simplistic in its analysis of power
- can be too idealistic
- can lead to despair & violence
- tends to ignore human emotions & desires
- Can be a very grim philosophy
Who is the most famous systems theorist and what did he believe?
Ludwig Von Bertalanffy (Biologist)
believed things must be studied as a whole not split up into parts.
believed Science didn’t give true understanding as focused on parts separately.
Describe Systems Theory & Aim.
Aim - to study things as whole & solve problems
Systems can be economical, political & anything that helps us to understand who we are (example - enneagram)
Problem-centred - views world & human activity as problem-solving.
Look at problems from different perspectives.
Believes Problems are complex & can understand more about problems
Not critical of society or ideologic like Critical Theory
All systems are part of other systems:
Society - Education - a person’s systems.
How should problems be resolved using Systems Theory?
By asking:
- Where does the system fit into the total environment?
- How do the components of system fit together?
- What helps system work & what prevents it from working more efficiently?
- What is the goal of the system?
