Before reflexivity comes preflexivity – or how to make social science more open
(2022) Social Theory as a Vocation? State of Affairs of Sociological Theorizing in Europe Midterm Conference of the ESA Research Network 29- Abstract
- In this paper I will introduce a conceptualisation of that kind of thinking which per definition precedes the coming up with a novel idea. By the use of basic etymology, I have named this cognitive phenomena preflexivity. As thereby indicated, I propose that preflexivity, on an analytical level, comes before reflexivity. What I aim to highlight through the lens of preflexivity is the generative power of imaginative, loose, undecided thinking, as unbounded thought of this kind might, but only might, result in something novel coming up and thus give rise to prescientific impulses to clarify and elaborate that something into a rather sharp idea – perhaps an idea that will be recognized as really something. Without downplaying reflexivity, I... (More)
- In this paper I will introduce a conceptualisation of that kind of thinking which per definition precedes the coming up with a novel idea. By the use of basic etymology, I have named this cognitive phenomena preflexivity. As thereby indicated, I propose that preflexivity, on an analytical level, comes before reflexivity. What I aim to highlight through the lens of preflexivity is the generative power of imaginative, loose, undecided thinking, as unbounded thought of this kind might, but only might, result in something novel coming up and thus give rise to prescientific impulses to clarify and elaborate that something into a rather sharp idea – perhaps an idea that will be recognized as really something. Without downplaying reflexivity, I consequently emphasize the importance of preflexive thinking. Pure preflexivity is as impossible as pure reflexivity, however. Therefore, I have constructed a continuum in between absolute preflexivity and absolute reflexivity as extremes. The continuum represents our thinking possibilities when not committed to so-called normal thinking. As social scientists we could imagine ourselves as doing the thinking part of research somewhere along this continuum, thinking mainly preflexively or mainly reflexively, or perhaps somewhere in-between. These are our research possibilities – arguably, greater than we can imagine if we one-sidedly aspire to a reflexive process of methodical critical thinking. My central argument, then, is that the conceptual couple of preflexivity–reflexivity, used as a lens on the thinking part of research, may be helpful when you theorize, as a spectrum of different research attitudes is disclosed. (Less)
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https://lup.lub.lu.se/record/8f60680d-3229-4974-89f0-12724bee20ee
- author
- Engstam, Anna LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2022-08
- type
- Contribution to conference
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- theorizing, reflexivity, preflexivity, critical thinking, imagination, ideation, idea generation
- conference name
- Social Theory as a Vocation? State of Affairs of Sociological Theorizing in Europe Midterm Conference of the ESA Research Network 29
- conference location
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- conference dates
- 2022-08-25 - 2022-08-26
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- 8f60680d-3229-4974-89f0-12724bee20ee
- date added to LUP
- 2023-12-13 20:15:19
- date last changed
- 2023-12-14 08:18:06
@misc{8f60680d-3229-4974-89f0-12724bee20ee,
abstract = {{In this paper I will introduce a conceptualisation of that kind of thinking which per definition precedes the coming up with a novel idea. By the use of basic etymology, I have named this cognitive phenomena preflexivity. As thereby indicated, I propose that preflexivity, on an analytical level, comes before reflexivity. What I aim to highlight through the lens of preflexivity is the generative power of imaginative, loose, undecided thinking, as unbounded thought of this kind might, but only might, result in something novel coming up and thus give rise to prescientific impulses to clarify and elaborate that something into a rather sharp idea – perhaps an idea that will be recognized as really something. Without downplaying reflexivity, I consequently emphasize the importance of preflexive thinking. Pure preflexivity is as impossible as pure reflexivity, however. Therefore, I have constructed a continuum in between absolute preflexivity and absolute reflexivity as extremes. The continuum represents our thinking possibilities when not committed to so-called normal thinking. As social scientists we could imagine ourselves as doing the thinking part of research somewhere along this continuum, thinking mainly preflexively or mainly reflexively, or perhaps somewhere in-between. These are our research possibilities – arguably, greater than we can imagine if we one-sidedly aspire to a reflexive process of methodical critical thinking. My central argument, then, is that the conceptual couple of preflexivity–reflexivity, used as a lens on the thinking part of research, may be helpful when you theorize, as a spectrum of different research attitudes is disclosed.}},
author = {{Engstam, Anna}},
keywords = {{theorizing; reflexivity; preflexivity; critical thinking; imagination; ideation; idea generation}},
language = {{eng}},
title = {{Before reflexivity comes preflexivity – or how to make social science more open}},
year = {{2022}},
}