Acta Structuralica

international journal for structuralist research

Series | Book | Chapter

194236

Emergence of duality

Wolff-Michael Roth

pp. 89-104

Abstract

In constructivism, dualisms of self-identical entities are inherent, a presupposition that has detrimental effects on the ways in which we understand and theorize knowing and learning. But any duality—body–mind, agent/mind–world, practice–theory—is the result of theory (theorizing activity) not the origin of theory. Drawing on the examples provided in chapters 2–4, I show how and when the separation of the cognizing agent and the material body/world occurs. I also draw on a study that described the emergence of the first pulsar observed to become an independent Galilean object in the course of one night's work in an astronomical observatory. I show how at the level of the individual, Maine de Biran's and M. Henry's philosophy provides an explanation of how the world observed comes to be experienced as independent of the observer. Language, accountability, and most of all radical passivity are integral to this emergence of the dualisms.

Publication details

Published in:

Roth Wolff-Michael (2011) Passibility: at the limits of the constructivist metaphor. Dordrecht, Springer.

Pages: 89-104

DOI: 10.1007/978-94-007-1908-8_5

Full citation:

Roth Wolff-Michael (2011) Emergence of duality, In: Passibility, Dordrecht, Springer, 89–104.