O'Donnell, Aislinn
(2014)
Another Relationship to Failure:
Reflections on Beckett and Education.
Journal of Philosophy of Education, 48 (2).
pp. 260-275.
ISSN 0309-8249
Abstract
Failure is seen as a problem in education. From failing
schools, to failing students to rankings of universities,
literacy or numeracy, the perception that one has failed to
compete or to compare favourably with others has led
to a series of policy initiatives internationally designed to
ensure ‘success for all’. But when success is measured in
comparison with others or against benchmarks or standards,
then it is impossible to see how all could be successful given
the parameters laid down. What are the implications of a
culture that values success and achievement? How difficult is
it to become the kind of individual who is flourishing,
autonomous and becomes ‘all she can be’, in particular
under the precarious conditions of contemporary capitalism?
Samuel Beckett was sceptical of the quest for progress,
production and prestige. His philosophy invites another way
of thinking about failure, not as something one is, but rather
as something one does: the pain and fear of inadequacy that
can mark educational relations and experiences is alleviated
by a more renunciative, gentle philosophy of education.
There are two interwoven strands in this article. One
questions the emphasis on competition and achievement in
contemporary education and explores its implications for our
relationship to failure. The second, strongly influenced by
Beckett, explores ways of reimagining our relationship to
failure in such a way that allows us to reflect on what
matters in life.
| Item Type: |
Article
|
| Keywords: |
Relationship; Failure;
Reflections; Beckett; Education; |
| Academic Unit: |
Faculty of Social Sciences > Education |
| Item ID: |
8607 |
| Identification Number: |
https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9752.12064 |
| Depositing User: |
Prof Aislinn O'Donnell
|
| Date Deposited: |
15 Aug 2017 15:23 |
| Journal or Publication Title: |
Journal of Philosophy of Education |
| Publisher: |
Wiley |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| URI: |
|
| Use Licence: |
This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available
here |
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