Experience and the growth of understanding (International Library of the Philosophy of Educa... Book

This book, first published in 1989, brings together nine essays or articles on diverse topics. To a large extent, they can be read as recapitulating his 1975 account of "A Realist Theory of Science," which is helpful in clarifying the key themes of that work, while demonstrating that his account supplies a powerful analytical tool by which to approach a range of topics, the most important being his discussion of the basis for social science.

He clearly believes that his thinking contributes to argument in support of the political Left and against the political Right. There are specific targets and topics for which this is doubtless the case. I personally would incline to the view that this is not terribly significant for the purpose of these essays; many people with political allegiance to "the Right" would still be interested in his analysis. Put another way, why say anything that sustains the idea that people on the Right and on the Left simply occupy separate worlds and avoid read each others' books? Also, why give the impression that Bhaskar's ideas are dogmatic when they are the opposite?

More generally, this book is really most likely to benefit academics and students. As a civilian, I found it frustrating to read - some essays more so than others. Despite the topicality and evident value of his approach, which really is exciting by the way, I feel that his own writing in these essays is far too dense and opaque to serve a wide audience and he clearly needs the mediation of a more accessible writer.

Exciting ideas and imaginative thinking waiting for a comic book version? That might well work.