The Need for Reflexivity

What each of us does in (and to) the world about us is essentially determined by how we see that world: Our behaviours and practices are functions of our perspectives which, in turn, are shaped by particular sets of beliefs and assumptions that we hold about such matters as the nature of nature, the nature of human nature, and the nature of knowledge. These foundations comprise what we refer to as our worldviews and our very lives are expressions of them.

Richard’s guest in this episode, Emeritus Professor Cynthia Mitchell, emphasises the tragedy that, in spite of their significance to the way we live our lives, most of us do not even know that we have worldviews, let alone think about their impact.  In a word, she argues, we are not reflexive: rarely, if ever, do we question our taken-for-granted personal assumptions even when these prove grossly inadequate to situations as we experience them. As she discusses here, this does not augur well under present and emerging circumstances in the world about us which are dictating the critical need for us to change our minds as a prerequisite for changing our ways.

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