Open AccessIn Praise of Irrationality: Self, "East" and "West" in Greek Teachers' Speeches on National Day Commemorations
Author(s) -
Lucianna Benincasa
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
the qualitative report
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.335
H-Index - 35
ISSN - 2160-3715
DOI - 10.46743/2160-3715/2010.1335
Subject(s) - irrationality , praise , rationality , greeks , creativity , national identity , sociology , qualitative research , ancient greece , psychology , pedagogy , social psychology , gender studies , social science , law , political science , history , classics , politics
In this qualitative study of school discourse on national day commemorations, focus is on the "social creativity strategies" through which group members can improve their social identity. Discourse analysis was carried out on thirty-nine teachers' speeches delivered in Greek schools between 1998 and 2004. The speakers scorn rationality and logic, stereotypically attributed to "the West" (a "West" which is perceived not to include Greece), as cold and not human. The Greeks' successful national struggles are presented instead as the result of irrationality. They claim irrationality to be the most human and thus the most valuable quality, which places Greece first in the world hierarchy. The results are further discussed in terms of their implications for learning and teaching in the classroom, as well as for policy and research.