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Taking credit for stupidity: On being a student in the performative university

Spoelstra, Sverre LU (2023) In Management Learning
Abstract
Stupidity is generally thought of as a hindrance to learning: an epistemic vice that stands in the way of knowledge and understanding. In this article, I challenge this idea by exploring some of the meanings of stupidity that place it in a positive relation to learning. In this light, the article discusses two notions of stupidity: stupidity as unfinished thought and stupefaction through study. I show how these forms of stupidity, rather than indicating a lack of learning, can be considered as a crucial part of the learning process. These types of desirable stupidity have come under increasing threat in academic cultures that are dominated by performance criteria. On the basis of this analysis, the article argues for the importance of... (More)
Stupidity is generally thought of as a hindrance to learning: an epistemic vice that stands in the way of knowledge and understanding. In this article, I challenge this idea by exploring some of the meanings of stupidity that place it in a positive relation to learning. In this light, the article discusses two notions of stupidity: stupidity as unfinished thought and stupefaction through study. I show how these forms of stupidity, rather than indicating a lack of learning, can be considered as a crucial part of the learning process. These types of desirable stupidity have come under increasing threat in academic cultures that are dominated by performance criteria. On the basis of this analysis, the article argues for the importance of academic practices that make room for these positive forms of stupidity and thereby facilitate what it means to be a student. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
epub
subject
in
Management Learning
publisher
SAGE Publications
external identifiers
  • scopus:85166571729
ISSN
1350-5076
DOI
10.1177/13505076231188056
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
4371843c-ba66-4a66-a136-faedd37f5c8e
date added to LUP
2023-07-29 20:15:02
date last changed
2023-08-21 04:01:40
@article{4371843c-ba66-4a66-a136-faedd37f5c8e,
  abstract     = {{Stupidity is generally thought of as a hindrance to learning: an epistemic vice that stands in the way of knowledge and understanding. In this article, I challenge this idea by exploring some of the meanings of stupidity that place it in a positive relation to learning. In this light, the article discusses two notions of stupidity: stupidity as unfinished thought and stupefaction through study. I show how these forms of stupidity, rather than indicating a lack of learning, can be considered as a crucial part of the learning process. These types of desirable stupidity have come under increasing threat in academic cultures that are dominated by performance criteria. On the basis of this analysis, the article argues for the importance of academic practices that make room for these positive forms of stupidity and thereby facilitate what it means to be a student.}},
  author       = {{Spoelstra, Sverre}},
  issn         = {{1350-5076}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{SAGE Publications}},
  series       = {{Management Learning}},
  title        = {{Taking credit for stupidity: On being a student in the performative university}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/13505076231188056}},
  doi          = {{10.1177/13505076231188056}},
  year         = {{2023}},
}