Vygotsky’s theory of method and philosophy of practice: implications for trans/formative methodology

Anna Stetsenko

doi:10.15448/1981-2582.2016.s.24385

Abstract

O projeto de Vygotsky precisa ser compreendido como um tipo ainda sem nome de uma abordagem que, ao continuar o espírito revolucionário do marxismo, mudou-se para além da velha divisão entre teoria e prática e, ao invés disso, consubstancia sua unidade em uma mistura peculiar com distintos aportes filosóficos, teóricos e éticos e suportes ideológicos. O objetivo de criar uma nova psicologia para uma sociedade que necessitava de princípios orientados para justiça social e igualdade transformou esta abordagem em um projeto crítico-prático de transformação social e de mudança. O principal argumento em que este trabalho avança é que o cerne do método de Vygotsky é a transformação onto-epistemológica, juntamente com a ética sócio-política de igualdade e justiça, que desafiam a ideologia de adaptação e controle. Eu discuto este conjunto de questões à luz de uma postura ativista de transformação que ilumina sobre os compromissos dos pesquisadores e orientações de valor.

Highlights

In a powerful statement, Fredric Jameson (2006) expresses the need “to grasp Marxism as something rather different than a philosophical system..., an as yet unnamed conceptual species one can only call a ‘unity of theory and practice,’ which by its very nature and structure stubbornly resists assimilation to the older philosophical ‘system’ as such” (p. xiii; emphasis added)
Vygotsky’s project can be seen as laying grounds for a novel type of psychology with a new mission devoted not to a pursuit of knowledge per se but to creating knowledge as part and parcel of a larger-scale, revolutionary social transformation that self-consciously commits and contributes to creating new forms of social life and practices based in principles of social justice and equality
The goal of creating new psychology for a society that itself needed to be created on principles of social justice and equality guided this project and turned it into a critical-practical instrument of social transformation and change

Summary

Introduction

Fredric Jameson (2006) expresses the need “to grasp Marxism as something rather different than a philosophical system..., an as yet unnamed conceptual species one can only call a ‘unity of theory and practice,’ which by its very nature and structure stubbornly resists assimilation to the older philosophical ‘system’ as such” (p. xiii; emphasis added). The goal of creating new psychology for a society that itself needed to be created on principles of social justice and equality guided this project and turned it into a critical-practical instrument of social transformation and change This goal defined each and all of this project’s constitutive elements—its research questions and goals, its epistemology and criteria of knowledge justification, its concepts and methodology. The groundwork that they had laid is of great value and can be creatively and critically expanded especially in line with an orientation towards social change This project offered an outline for a model of science and research as transformative practical endeavors of an activist nature infused with ideology, ethics and politics that take the vision for egalitarian society and a commitment to achieving it as the core grounding for method, theory, and practice of research. I discuss this set of issues in light of the trans/formative onto-epistemology and activist stance that put premium on researchers’ commitments and value orientations

Methodology as the Philosophy of Method

Conclusions