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Title of Abstract:

Wholeness, Craft and the New Science (Ref #204)

Date:
26-10-2006 13:35:01
Status:
Accepted with revisions
Rating:
7
Details:
This jointly authored paper claims that contemporary craft originates in an organic paradigm in contrast to being embedded within the dominant mechanistic world-view of much of contemporary science. Craft in some ways acts as a counter balance to this kind of rational objective reductionist science but this is not the only way however to conduct science.

With the development of new theories like Chaos, Complexity & Gaia a ?new science? is forming sometimes collectively referred to as ?Holistic Science?. It is not a substitute for conventional science but its compliment. It clearly focuses on the notion of wholeness but also features ideas of emergence, a science of qualities and participation. It favours co-operative inquiry and consensus methodologies and gives due regard to intuition and feelings. It also explores the application of Goethean Science practices in bringing together both the objective and the subjective.

This paper argues that both craft and the new sciences have similar philosophical foundations. Indeed the earliest forms of craft practice were probably examples of holistic science. Reference will be made to the new science influences in the development of Soetsu Yanagi?s Japanese Mingei theory or Folk Crafts.

Holistic Science like craft is a feature of ?real world? participation. Its epistemology is embodied and participatory and its technologies sensitive and participatory. Hence there is no distinction between theory and practice.

Schumacher College in Devon offers the first post-graduate programme in Holistic Science and draws on the work of many leading experts in this new field. This paper argues that there are benefits in forging alliances with holistic science or the new sciences rather than following contemporary orthodox science as some would advocate. There may also be mutually beneficial methods of evaluation and research that can be shared. Furthermore Craft may be able to usefully contribute to these new research areas such as consciousness as it is one of the few areas where some people acknowledge the place of panpsychism.

This paper will trace the common historical and philosophical foundations of both holistic science and craft and explore the potential for mutually beneficial future collaborations. Closer relationships with the holistic sciences will the authors believe, contribute to the restoration of the true metaphysical educational and holistic power of craft.

Reviewer Comments:

Review #1 : Left on 11-11-2006 13:31:03 #
Sounds wonderful - let's do it! And there is the challenge - how might these ideas translate into action? Could the paper bring forward clear suggestions for embedding these philosophies and methodologies into craft education and professional practice?

7
Review #2 : Left on 15-11-2006 13:18:15 #
It would be interesting to propose a mutually beneficial collaborative project between a New Science and Craft. What would the shared agenda be? Relationships between craft, technology and material sciences are in evidence in published research projects. In these types of collaboration, underlying interesting results there are often schisms in language and preferred methodology, resulting in difficulties in communication and concensus on a truly mutually beneficial agenda.
7