The What and Why of Theory?

Conventional wisdom or "natural facts" are beliefs or ideas that are taken as self-evident. They are not seen as needing proof, evidence, or rationalization. In fact, they might not even be seen as opinion at all. For Nealon and Giroux, theorizing is begins with the asking of skeptical questions. They don't just ask for proof, which leads one into a debate though. They encourage us to ask where an opinion comes from, why it is held, what its mission might be, what is might be hiding or even obscuring. It's a powerful approach which, they assert, can also lead from theory to practice -- i.e. changed ideas leading to changed actions.

The major chapters in Theory Toolbox will help us develop skills in asking certain kinds of theoretical questions of special relevance to literature. Here is a set of questions implied in the introduction which we'll "try out" in relation to the texts on the variations handout.

1. What "natural facts" are at work or even implied in the text?
2. Where does this conventional wisdom come from? Who is likely to hold it? Why?
3. Does answering the questions above (theorizing) lead you to a new perspective? If so, what change or action does it invite?

Example

Groups:

IJAB - Making a House a Home

KLCD - Lose it All

MNEF - Monday Night Football

OPGH - Open Face