Jan 19: “Why Theory?”

Return to the paragraph in the middle of page 7 of “Why Theory?” (the one beginning “This book proceeds under the assumption…”). What is your understanding of what the authors of Theory Toolbox think theory can offer you?

5 thoughts on “Jan 19: “Why Theory?”

  1. The authors are essentially introducing the importance of questioning why the way things are and what makes them that way. They think theory can help one interpret works of literature, just like in science or everyday situations. The authors believe that, “it offers angles of intervention that you wouldn’t otherwise have” (7). Meaning that, even though it may not be needed, using theory as a way of gaining more information and a better understanding of literature allows one to think critically as well as eliciting responses. The authors feel as if they can offer a new way of thinking and questioning to provoke a better comprehension of literature.

  2. The authors promote theory because of what it can do for us. Like they say in the paragraph, students don’t “need” theory in the same way we “need” basic course requirements. Theory is a necessity because “it does some work for you” (7). It allows access to deeper thinking and invites people to delve further into ideas and topics that cannot be accessed without theories. Theory is a different way to approach thought that can lead to answers that never would have been found without the use of theory itself. Theories offer an expansion of thought and an entryway into the discovery of new ideas and beliefs.

  3. From reading the text, I interpreted the meaning of that passage to be that the authors want students to think outside the box. “Theory that’s less about names or movements or modeling readings of texts than it is about intervening in otherwise inaccessible debates and discourses.” (7) The point they are trying to make is they prefer to encourage debate through theory and expansion of thought so that we can all grow as humans and all learn what the world offers. Using theory can force one to think critically without necessarily knowing that they are critically thinking. It forces the mind out of it’s comfort zone, which is a good thing when looking at it from a scholarly perspective.

  4. Well, the authors of the texts state pretty plainly why they think students should study theory: “[they’re] interested in theory as an approach, as a wider toolbox . . .” (7). My assumption is, is that it is much easier to understand a thing if you understand the rules and concepts that went in to making that thing happen. I’m pretty sure it’s probably something like that.

  5. Theory is important for the questioning and “upsetting of ‘natural fact'” which the author asserts is paradoxical. They claim that there is no such thing as a ‘natural fact.’ The first thing that needs to occur before change can happen is this upset of the ‘natural fact.’ Nealon claims that we need to remain vigilant and maintain a mindset of ‘everything is suspicious.’ This is due to the fact that any theory or ‘natural fact’ has its origins from somewhere: a bias, a broken rationale, etc. Theory allows for this suspicion, and “it offers angles of intervention that you wouldn’t otherwise have.” Theory, as defined by Nealon is a “toolbox of questions and concepts to built and experimentally deployed.”

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