*Title*: 'Critical Thinking in Political Theory: Addressing Incommensurability' with Dr. Allyn Fives

*Date*: April 14th: 18:00-19:45 (JST)

*Event description*: The literature on teaching and learning in the normative sciences emphasises critical thinking as a key learning outcome. However, in political theory it has not addressed incommensurability between the different approaches within the discipline and the significance this has for critical thinking. This workshop builds on a module at the National University of Ireland, Galway: I deliver the first half, devoted to the analytical (mainly Anglo-Saxon) tradition; my colleague delivers the second half, focusing on the continental (primarily German and French) tradition. Their incommensurability is evident in the lack of a neutral way to characterize both their subject matter and how they conceptualise rationality. If critical thinking involves awareness of and regulation of thinking, it becomes a challenge when students are asked to navigate between two incommensurable understandings of the skills and attitudes this requires. On occasion, incommensurability has undermined student attainment, especially when students approach work in one tradition by employing the conception of critical thinking appropriate to the other. To address this challenge, we are revising the module, making the capacity to critically evaluate each tradition itself a key learning outcome. Our aim is not to overcome incommensurability, but rather to make students aware and encourage their critical analysis of the two traditions.

*Speaker bio*: Allyn Fives is a lecturer in political theory at the National University of Ireland, Galway. He specialises in moral and political philosophy, with a particular interest in moral conflict, pluralism, political realism, and issues of power including parental power and the rights and liberties of children. He was Chair of the University's Research Ethics Committee (2013-2017) and is Director of the MA in Politics and Sociology.

Format: Zoom workshop (link will be sent to all registered participants the day before the workshop). Breakout rooms will be used for a 15min exercise during the event (participation in this exercise is optional).

*Registration link*: https://forms.gle/FEYP3NPUG2no2Tei6 <https://forms.gle/FEYP3NPUG2no2Tei6>

Simultaneous interpretation (English to Japanese) available

*Contact information*: gfd-tokyo@adm.c.u-tokyo.ac.jp <mailto:gfd-tokyo@adm.c.u-tokyo.ac.jp>