Transcending the Dualisms of Activity Theory

Journal of Critical Realism 12 (2):141 - 165 (2013)
  Copy   BIBTEX

Abstract

This article employs the basic tenets of critical realism to provide a philosophical foundation for understanding and resolving the dualisms of activity theory. Its argument follows in four parts. First I develop an immanent critique that shows the problems within activity theory; it reveals that several dualisms were present from the onset, and further that an implicit ontology allows activity theorists to presuppose critical realism in practice. I claim that the historical development of activity theory is marked by attempts to resolve contradictions, which are signalling devices pointing to the need for theoretical expansion. To shed light on attempts to mend dualisms, I then introduce the notion of a ‘patch’ because it functions as a mechanism that sustains dualisms and gaps in practice. An omissive critique identifies the key omitted element that causes the dualisms; namely, the omission of a critique of Humean philosophy and classical empiricism. Finally,, after effectively isolating and explaining the source of dualisms, I prepare the ground for a protoexplanatory critique to rectify them.

Links

PhilArchive



    Upload a copy of this work     Papers currently archived: 90,221

External links

Setup an account with your affiliations in order to access resources via your University's proxy server

Through your library

Similar books and articles

Postmodernity's transcending: devaluing God.Laurence Paul Hemming - 2005 - Notre Dame IN: University of Notre Dame Press.
Skilled activity and the causal theory of action.Randolph Clarke - 2010 - Philosophy and Phenomenological Research 80 (3):523-550.
Doing Justice and the Practice of Philosophy.William Desmond - 2005 - Proceedings of the American Catholic Philosophical Association 79:41-59.
Digital technology and mediation : a challenge to activity theory.Georg Rückriem - 2009 - In Annalisa Sannino, Harry Daniels & Kris D. Gutierrez (eds.), Learning and Expanding with Activity Theory. Cambridge University Press. pp. 88--111.
Cultural-historical activity theory and organization studies.Frank Blackler - 2009 - In Annalisa Sannino, Harry Daniels & Kris D. Gutierrez (eds.), Learning and Expanding with Activity Theory. Cambridge University Press. pp. 19--39.
The future of activity theory : a rough draft.Yrjö Engeström - 2009 - In Annalisa Sannino, Harry Daniels & Kris D. Gutierrez (eds.), Learning and Expanding with Activity Theory. Cambridge University Press. pp. 303--328.
Uses of activity theory in written communication research.David R. Russell - 2009 - In Annalisa Sannino, Harry Daniels & Kris D. Gutierrez (eds.), Learning and Expanding with Activity Theory. Cambridge University Press.
The concept of development in cultural-historical activity theory : vertical and horizontal.Michael Cole & Natalia Gajdamashko - 2009 - In Annalisa Sannino, Harry Daniels & Kris D. Gutierrez (eds.), Learning and Expanding with Activity Theory. Cambridge University Press. pp. 129--143.
Activity theory between historical engagement and future-making practice.Annalisa Sannino, Harry Daniels & Kris Gutiérrez - 2009 - In Annalisa Sannino, Harry Daniels & Kris D. Gutierrez (eds.), Learning and Expanding with Activity Theory. Cambridge University Press. pp. 1--18.
Transcending justice: Pope John Paul II and just war.Peter L. P. Simpson - 2011 - Journal of Religious Ethics 39 (2):286-298.

Analytics

Added to PP
2013-03-27

Downloads
19 (#679,913)

6 months
1 (#1,028,709)

Historical graph of downloads
How can I increase my downloads?