Chris,
I have been so buried in work that I haven't been reading any threads of the
discussion, but I did read yours and felt like I was gambling and had just hit
the jackpot. The examples you gave seem to be distinguished by differences in
the perception of who has viable knowledge. In the second case the
understanding appeared to be developed through an engaged and equitable
collaborative process which was not limited in scope, participants, or language
(a hierarchy of acceptable ways of presenting understanding and whose might be
more or less valuable) As you described it, there was also deliberation on what
happened, perhaps even clashes of opinion, which resulted in a clearer more
comprehensive picture.
This is part of what I am researching and writing up at the moment. It cheered
me on. Thanks
Jan
Jan Coker
C3-10 Underdale Campus
University of South Australia
+61 8 8302 6919
"Everywhere the signs multiply that the earth's peoples yearn for an end to
conflict and to the suffering and ruin from which no land is any longer immune.
These rising impluses for change must be seized upon and channeled into
overcoming the remaining barriers that block realization of the age-old dream
of global peace. The effort of will required for such a task cannot be summoned
up merely by appeals for action against the countless ills afflicting society.
It must be galvanized by a vision of human porsperity in the fullest sense of
the term - an awakening to the possibilities of the spiritual and material
well-being now brought within grasp. Its beneficiaries must be all of the
planet's inhabitants, without distinction, without the imposition of conditions
unrelated to the fundamental goals of such a reorganization of human affairs."
from The Prosperity of Humankind Baha'i International Office
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