ABSTRACT
While the basic orientation of PAR theory and practice is towards the ‘common good’, this concept can take on radically different meanings. Chapter 2 explores the kind and depth of change that PAR can actively support by reviewing the history of three cross-cutting ‘traditions’. The first revolves around the rational-pragmatic dimension of ‘instrumental reason’ for problem solving. The second focusses on the psychosocial-transformative dimension of ‘expressive reason’, towards awareness-building and strengthening interpersonal relationships. The third points to the critical-emancipatory dimension of moral thinking and ‘communicative reason’ in the pursuit of social justice and radical democracy. While firmly committed to deep social change, the authors build on the virtues of ‘engaged perspectivism’ introduced in Chapter 1 and invite practitioners to recognize and draw from what each tradition has to offer. This means exercising judgement regarding which dimension should come to the forefront in a given situation. The authors conclude with a discussion of a common challenge across traditions: how to overcome timidity in scaling up the ‘art of inquiry’ beyond the binary choice between mainstream methods involving ‘human subjects’ (observation, questionnaires, interviews, storytelling, focus groups) and user-friendly analytics applied through small group dynamics.
