Of metaphors and myths, voices and vocabularies, aims and addressees

Chapter 1

Richard Rorty

The primary focus of Rorty’s work has been

to develop this insight: if it does not make a

difference to practice, it should not make a

difference to philosophy. (Brogan & Risser

2000:45)

…to make the best selves for ourselves that

we can. (Rorty 2000:51)

“Final Vocabulary”

All human being carry about a set of words which they

employ to justify their actions, their beliefs, and their

lives. These are the words in which we formulate

praise of our friends and contempt for our enemies,

our long-term projects, our deepest self-doubts, and

our highest hopes. They are the words in which we tell,

sometimes prospectively and sometimes

retrospectively, the story of our lives. I shall call these

words a person’s “final vocabulary.” (Rorty 2000:45)

Ways of being

• Becoming Methodological

• Becoming Technical

• Becoming Theoretical

• Becoming Intellectual

• Becoming Pragmatic

Ways of doing

• Copying

• Applying

• Theorising

• Reflecting

• Acting

Central chapters

• Copying and Becoming Methodological

• Applying and Becoming Technical

• Theorising and Becoming Theoretical

• Reflecting and Becoming Intellectual

• Acting and Becoming Pragmatic

Reflexivity: two questions

PROSPECTIVEWhat difference does it make to the teacher education that I offer, that is I who offer it?

What difference does offering this teacher education make to me as a teacher educator?RETROSPECTIVE