Keywords
Category mistake, critical thinking, controversy, social media, reason
Document Type
Article in Response to Controversy
Theme
Facilitating Discussions of Controversial Issues in Difficult Times
Abstract
There is significant confusion about what counts as controversy, and clearing up the confusion, as well as teaching students reasoning skills to understand the confusion, may help us to once again see the virtues of discussing controversial issues in our classrooms. Specifically, I argue that we make what Gilbert Ryle (1949) terms a “category mistake” when we confuse a mere difference of opinion with a genuine controversy. Further, that we make this category mistake allows for and is exacerbated by social media and cancel culture, both of which thrive from so-called fake controversies where anyone can gain instant attention, notoriety, fame, and money.
Genre/Form
articles
Recommended Citation
Rodgers, Shannon
(2024)
"Our Category Mistake: Why our Talk about Controversy is Confusing,"
Journal of Educational Controversy: Vol. 16:
No.
1, Article 2.
Available at:
https://cedar.wwu.edu/jec/vol16/iss1/2
Subjects - Topical (LCSH)
Reasoning--Study and teaching; Critical thinking--Study and teaching; Social media--Influence; Cancel culture
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author’s written permission.
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Type
Text
