PALAR: Dialectic of Theory and Practice

Chapter Overview

In this chapter I argue that the traditional dichotomy and separation between ‘theory’ – the principles, models and method of the particular discipline – and ‘practice’ – that applies the theories – is problematic. Instead, we take an integrated, holistic approach to the theory and practice of learning, teaching, professional and leadership development and argue for a dialectical relationship between theory and practice and for alternative modes of theorizing and knowledge creation. This argument for a theory/practice dialectic is very topical in times of uncertainty and has been revived in recent literature (Marsh, 2010) with or without reference to classical, seminal works. These seminal works include those of Greek philosophers, the concepts of ‘dialectic’, ‘praxis’, ‘Indigeneity’ (Harris and Wasilewski, 2004), and of the ‘mediating discourse’ (Gustavsen, 2001). The chapter concludes that the art of PALAR requires a synthesis of theory and practice, an integration of knowledge and wisdom, mind and heart, of practical ‘know-how’ and creative dialectic thinking, and of research and development in partnership between research/scholarship and practice/policy development. In this way the discussion in this chapter moves toward connecting the world of theory, research and scholarship with the world of practice.

There is nothing as practical as a good theory.

Kurt Lewin