Interiority as the Cutting Edge between Theory and Practice: A First Person Perspective

David Coghlan

International Journal of Action Research, 2010, vol. 6, issue 2-3, 288-307

Abstract: The three realms of meaning: practical knowing, theory and interiority provide a framework for understanding the epistemological challenges confronting action researchers. Action researchers have two external horizons: that of practice and that of theory. Practice engages with the world of practical knowing, where the challenges are the successful completion of practical tasks. Theory engages the realm of scholarship as action researchers seek to develop understanding of, for example, the dynamics of organization and change. Interiority involves shifting from what we know to how we know, and is a process of intellectual self-awareness. Interiority goes beyond practical knowing and theory, not by negating them or leaving them behind, but appreciating them and recognizing their limitations. Interiority is the integrating factor that enables action researchers to hold both, to appreciate the value of both and to move from one to the other appropriately. It is a process at the cutting edge of integrating theory, practice and research.

Keywords: action research; practical knowing; theory; interiority; Bernard Lonergan (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: B59 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2010
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

Downloads: (external link)
http://www.hampp-verlag.de/hampp_e-journals_IJAR.htm#210 (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:rai:ijares:doi_10.1688/1861-9916_ijar_2010_02-03_coghlan

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
Rainer Hampp Verlag, Journals, Vorderer Lech 35, 86150 Augsburg, Germany. A subscripton is required to access pdf files. Pay per article is available at
http://www.hampp-verlag.de/Hampp_Recherche_e.htm

Access Statistics for this article

International Journal of Action Research is currently edited by Werner Fricke, Richard Ennals, Oyvind Palshaugen, Sabine Pfeiffer and Danilo Streck, editor-in chief

More articles in International Journal of Action Research from Rainer Hampp Verlag
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Rainer Hampp ( this e-mail address is bad, please contact ).