Is There a Social Constructionist In the House?

[ed_rex]

I'm re-reading Steven Pinker's book, The Blank Slate and would like to hear from the other side.

Can any of you suggest a good over-view of social constructionist theory?

Comments

[miyyu.livejournal.com]

In my undergraduate days, I could have, but it's been a while... In any case, Steven Pinker's an interesting guy and a solid writer. The Blank Slate is well worth reading.

Oh Yes!

[ed-rex.livejournal.com]

I've actually read it before and it mostly stroked my own preconceived notions. I want to lend it to someone, but decided to re-read it first, so it would be fresh in my mind when (as I half expect) she attacks it.

I suppose I could just take the most likely looking items from his bibliography or footnotes, but there's no guarantee that he's cited the strongest examples of the theory he disdains (though I believe that he has!).

Re: Oh Yes!

[miyyu.livejournal.com]

I think actually Pinker's bibliography is pretty safe to judge. He's well respected as a scholar and he wouldn't be if he didn't use seminal works. I just don't remember who the biggest proponents of the theory are.

The short version, if I remember right, is the nature vs. nurture thing, as I'm sure you've gleaned from the book already.

Re: Oh Yes!

[ed-rex.livejournal.com]

It probably is safe to use it, I agree. I just want to be as fair as possible, on the (unlikely) chance Pinker's left out some powerful thinker and is, in effect, attacking straw men.

Basically, I have always "known" that people nature makes a difference - or at least since I watched my younger brother see a piano at the age of 6 or 7 and start picking out music by ear. (Funnily enough, when he picked up music as a teenager, he quickly became a very good musician.)

[shara.livejournal.com]

Social Construction of What? by Ian Hacking is a good overview... though he himself isn't a converted social constructist per se.

Doesn't Quite Sound Like What I'm Looking For

[ed-rex.livejournal.com]

I want to understand social constructionism from a believer's point of view, not a critic's. I'm almost certain (as in 99% certain) that they're dead wrong, but almost all of my information on them has come from the likes of Pinker, Diamond and Dawkins - which might be kind of like asking a Jihadist about the finer points of Hinduism.

Re: Doesn't Quite Sound Like What I'm Looking For

[shara.livejournal.com]

Well, Hacking considers himself an agnostic on the issue. It's not really a criticism of any one side specifically.

Re: Doesn't Quite Sound Like What I'm Looking For

[ed-rex.livejournal.com]

That's what I inferred from your initial reply. But what I want is the (up-to-date) equivalent of E.O. Wilson or Dawkins, but from the opposing side. The unmediated version, in other words.

[colinmarshall.livejournal.com]

Just say the words "evolutionary psychology" to any humanities grad student. When they catch their breath after exhausting themselves with damning exhortations and, they'll re-iterate their point of view more slowly and clearly.

"Bait the Humanities Student!"

[ed-rex.livejournal.com]

I can see that becoming a cruel but entertaining sport for intellectual sadists. "If you believe that homosexuality is innate, how can you deny that verbal intelligence also is?" Etcetera.

don't know any books but...

[jade-noir.livejournal.com]

Why are you now putting the 14 or older filter on all of your entries? I don't think this is going to hurt any young minds, mind included.

Re: don't know any books but...

[ed-rex.livejournal.com]

When I started my smut-filter, I decided to be a good boy and follow LJ's rules. I hesitated, but finally decided that anyone under 14 who might actually be interested in reading me would probably be clever enough to light about their age.

GROSS

[thebigthreekill.livejournal.com]

....

Re: GROSS

[ed-rex.livejournal.com]

Something's going over my head.

Are you saying "Gross" to the question, to social constructionism, or to Dawkins/Pinker? (Or something else entirely? In which case I really missed the point.)

[casualsexcapade.livejournal.com]

durrrr

I can blow bubbles with my spit.

:D

Now I Understand!

[ed-rex.livejournal.com]

Why brewers so seldom get elected to high office.

Ahem.