Published In
Studies in Philosophy and Education
Document Type
Post-Print
Publication Date
2025
Subjects
Educational leadership, Educational planning, Misinformation, Acculturation
Abstract
A challenge for educators is how to teach in a “post-truth” world. Lies, fake news, and a gleeful disregard for facts – what I collectively term mis/information – all seem to undermine the very project of education. The pragmatism of Richard Rorty holds promise to address such issues. I first argue that Rorty’s philosophy of education is of limited use, whereas his broader thoughts on a philosophy without foundations are more relevant. I then suggest that a way forward is to evade the fight against post-truth dynamics altogether. An insistence on rational objectivity and foundational truth are at the root of the challenges of mis/information. We can instead embrace uncertainty and doubt, shifting our educational goals to help students of diverse backgrounds avoid alienation and humiliation at the hands of schooling. Education can instead affirm the dignity of each student through an acculturation into inclusive, coherent narratives, replacing the self-defeating quest for finding the right truths with the more uplifting purpose of forging a common cultural commitment to reducing human suffering.
Rights
This is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published as: Narayanan, M. (2025). [Post-print]. Evading the War with Mis/Information: Rorty’s Education without Foundations and the Creation of Community. Studies in Philosophy and Education. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11217-024-09979-8.
DOI
10.1007/s11217-024-09979-8
Persistent Identifier
https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/43586
Citation Details
Narayanan, M. (2025). [Post-print]. Evading the War with Mis/Information: Rorty’s Education without Foundations and the Creation of Community. Studies in Philosophy and Education. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11217-024-09979-8.