Critical Reflection as a Mode of Enquiry

摘要

Increasingly since the advent of critical social theory humans have been encouraged to critically reflect upon their experiences in a social context as a means of knowledge procurement (Calhoun 1995). Critical Theory supports the notion that personal reflection on events, in their social context is a valid form of knowledge development. The purpose of this presentation is to outline the use of critical theory as a reflective lens through which I retrospectively critically evaluate previously performed projects. Rather than direct application of critical theory, it is the legacy of critical theory, and its contribution to reflection that are influential (Moon 1999). In relation to this presentation, there are four fundamental components of critical theory that are retained within the emerging framework: the validity of interpretive and reflexive knowledge; the search for meaning and understanding as legitimate form of enquiry; the importance of context and the centrality of reflection to the process of knowledge development. These concepts are used to direct reflection within the study.