The interspecies educator's cybernetic world
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to interconnect pedagogy and biology via second-order cybernetics.
Design/methodology/approach
The approach taken is that of a synthesis.
Findings
Biology can better deal with intersubjectivity within and between species by incorporating approaches and theory from education inquiry. Conversely, educators can de-anthropocentrize their discipline by entering into learning relationships with other species. By rallying around the concept of “eduction”, second-order cybernetics plays a role in both syntheses.
Practical implications
De-anthropocentrizing education could have practical value in creating ecologically relevant education for children and in developing more integrated environmental impact assessments.
Originality/value
Finding convergence between the study of life and forms of practitioner inquiry in education research, and connecting these to the environmental movement.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This paper was dramatically improved by the thoughtful comments of the anonymous reviewers, through discussions with participants at the ASC-BIG Conference in Asilomar, through the encouragement of Nora Bateson, and through years of subtle eductive cycling between the author and his cat companion, Black One. Thank you all!
Citation
Affifi, R. (2014), "The interspecies educator's cybernetic world", Kybernetes, Vol. 43 No. 1, pp. 144-152. https://doi.org/10.1108/K-10-2012-0080
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited