Osazuwa Osayomwanbor
200345160
Sociology/Social Studies
READING SUMMARY/REFLECTION (SOC 802)
Topic: Critical Sociological Theory
INTRODUCTION
The critical theory reading reminds me of the idea of Frankenstein’s monster . This idea describes any process that sets up to destroy itself. It helps us to appreciate the links in the building blocks of any process and how those links create weaknesses that unravel the same process. As it relates to critical theory, we will see quite clearly how the theory builds up and eventually collapse as we study its evolution.
I am attracted to critical theory first of all due to its links with Marxism. For me, Marxism is the exact model of what a theory should be. It describes, explains and predicts the outcome of a specific social situation. While the processes prescribed may be contestable- in fact, every idea should be contestable-, the fact that it attempts to fulfill all aspects of a theory makes Marxism the all-time great. But this reading is not about Marxism, it is about critical theory. So, what is critical theory? How is the theory applied in society? What are the major ideas that it draw from? What are the major flaws in the theory and how has the theory itself contributed to its downfall?
CONCEPTUALIZING CRITICAL THEORY
Critical theory is an idea that speaks to the individual desire for achieving success as defined by the individual and not the society. It lends itself more to finding out why there are paradoxes in society.
According to Paul & Elder, “critical thinking is the art of analyzing and evaluating thinking with a vision of improving it.” Their argument for the need to utilize critical thinking is the fact that without focus, most of the thinking done by people is partial, many times uninformed, biased, distorted, and prejudiced. What is not easily recognized is the fact that the very fabric of life is
I think critical inquiry is looking deeper into a specific issue, so that you can form an opinion based on facts and evidence portraying to the issue. Critical inquiry is the process of gathering information, evidence, and ideas to form a thoughtful, well- constructed understanding of a specific issue. Critical inquiry has a direct link to education. This type of approach can be specifically seen in classrooms and schools that use an inquiry-based approach. Although I believe, all teachers should give students the opportunity to use critical inquiry within the classroom. This approach can be used when working through problems and research. Instead of giving students the “right answer” you can allow them to explore the issue or topic on their own. I think critical inquiry is a beneficial skill that students can obtain in the classroom, one which allows them to make reasoned judgments though-out their life.
Critical race theory recognizes that in a society, the racism is inevitable which leads to the exploitation of people of inferior races in the hand of people of superior race. The theory recognizes that the power structure in the society leads to the exploitation of coloured people by white people.
The first step is to separate what one believes from that one knows, and to separate what is from what must be. (Hinchey, 5) By doing this, one is able to begin to deconstruct the assumptions about the system in which we operate, which allows the individual to see the system as custom instead of irrefutable law. The next step in critical theory is
While reading Defining Critical Thinking I have found out that Critical Thinking is a mode of thinking about any subject, content, or problem in which the thinker imposes intellectual standards upon them. What this means is that you raise questions upon that subject in which you ask relevant questions that will effectively evaluate the solution upon the complex problem. I have also determined that people who think critically consistently attempt to live reasonable lives due to their strive to improve the world in any way they can. Also Critical Thinkers do not have a destination to be reached they proceed to improve their reasoning abilities since their reasoning abilities will always be put into question by human irrationality. Additionally Critical Thinkers recognize these dilemmas and commit themselves to deal with the society and practice toward self-improvement by doing this Critical Thinkers are able to live a reasonable life. I have also learned what makes a well cultivated critical thinker. To be a cultivated critical thinker, you need to
Critical cerebrating is a way, style, path, or kinetics of mentally conceived in which an individual uses to find deeper denouements to everyday events or situations. Critical cerebrating straddles and revolves around philosophy and when asked to define critical cerebrating is, then philosophy plays a role. To endeavor to define critical mentally conceiving, the phrase must be divided into separate words. The word “critical” can pose two analytical construal’s. One meaning of “critical” exposes exigency and a sense of emporia. One cannot expect to ken the unknown, however we still possess an obscure sense or impasse of cerebrated. And that the events have to unfold and unravel on its own. The second part of the word exhibits
n the book “Mastering Graduate Studies”, the author Mailander notes that critical analysis of sources is what distinguishes a graduate student from an undergraduate student. As a successful graduate student, “the expectation is that you provide a deeper analysis of the validity of the data, methodology, and the results of the literature you select.” I believe critical analysis is the foundation of scientific investigation, helping to filter out facts and evidence from false data. It is essential for the growth of the learning community, that scholars engage in critical analysis of sources, and follow evidence, irrespective whether the evidence aligns with the originally desired outcome or not.
What is “critical analysis” in history writing? To critically analyze an event one must read about all aspects of a historical event in order to fully understand that historical era. This is done by examining several primary source documents, as well as the perspectives of several historians. This way we are able to break down a historical time and fully understand its success and failures.
Frankenstein was a story written by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley while she was on her vacation in Switzerland with her husband. The story got published in 1818 without letting the public about the author. It was in 1831 when the novel revised edition was out and Mary Shelley name mentioned as an author. The novel focused on social, cultural and political facet of the societies during Mary’s lifetime. The fictional character in the novel clearly shows the battle against the pre-established people’s attitude during that time. Religion and science always create a controversy in the society with religion always differencing from any scientific principles and experiments. Shelley’s tried to addresses the above controversy and showed how science and modern technology is sometimes wrong. She tried to show how scientists and inventors are sometimes selfish only care for achieving their plan without evaluating the end result.
Critical theory promotes an examination of society that addresses the impact that an individual or a community’s level of power has on its health (Weitz, 2017). Bias and injustice are built into social structures and public opinion, and the goal of critical theory is to expose and correct the power imbalance this creates (Weitz, 2017). According to Tretheway…, critical theory is essential to the promotion of social justice and health (2015). Tretheway et al go on to state that, although this theory is well established in the field of social work, there is very little evidence that it has been used effectively in health care. Nurses are instructed heavily in reflective practices, and this could
Critical theorists share 4 assumptions: firstly they dispute realism in their belief that human nature is effected majorly by social changes, as opposed to the belief that states dominate and that technological progress has no effect on the autonomy of states. This is supported by liberalist thinking in the development of international institutions, the process of globalisation has dramatically changed the way states behave, something that realists choose to ignore. They believe that this is due to struggles throughout history, which supports the idea of hegemony in that states that have been successful in both economic terms as well as within warfare are more able to shape social change and progress. Critical theory also emphasises the importance of emancipation, which links back to the Marxist thought on which it is based, as it highlights the importance of citizens, and critiques both liberalist and realist thought in its belief that
Critical theory, on the other hand, as propounded by Robert Cox is a rejoinder to Neo-realism. According to Mark Rupert, Neo-Realism “only describes patterns in the operation of power among States without inquiring as to the social relations through which that power is produced.” Critical theory assumes that power is not given in the form of accumulated material capabilities; in fact, it is a product of social processes. Robert Cox adopted a method of “historical structures” in which “state power ceases to be sole explanatory factor and becomes part of what is to be explained”.
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is a literary classic that tells a story of a young scientist Victor Frankenstein who created a monster that tries to live in society but is rejected. The monster will later seek revenge by going after his creator. In this essay I will be evaluating two critiques about the novel. Beginning with Professor Naomi Hetherington’s critique and the second critique written by Professor Sherry Ginn.
The critical theory arose from the Frankfurt School, the collective works of German theorists. Critical theory’s roots are centered on the works of The Institute for Social Research and those researchers who promoted Karl Marx theory of idealism. Intellectuals at the school developed kritisch Therorie, the critical theory of society, which was created to directly interpret Marxism. These theorists wanted to revise Marx’s theory that capitalism and the concept that the best way to change the structure of society and politics was a revolution.
According to this theory, critical awareness requires recognition that the social status of an individual, including educational and economic prospects and opportunities, is largely result from its race, gender, and class so the critical theorists want to raise the consciousness of these people dealing with education, knowledge, the school, and teaching and learning. Furthermore, they see the curriculum into 2 parts: the official curriculum which requires teaching subjects and specific skills, and the Hidden curriculum which imposes approved behaviors and attitudes on students through the school environment. They believe that teachers should empower themselves, because they can transform schools into democratic public spheres.