Human unfinishedness makes all knowledge necessarily provisional and incomplete

Evidence

The theme of uncertainty has an important place in Freire’s work (Roberts, 2005). Uncertainty for Freire has ontological, epistemological, ethical, and educational dimensions. The starting point for Freire’s ontology and ethic is the notion of humanization (Freire, 1972a). As humans, we exist both in and with the world. We humanize ourselves through praxis: critical, dialogical reflection and action for transformation. Freire stresses that we are unfinished beings, with the capacity to become more fully human but always with more work to do. The reality that emerges as we transform ourselves and the world presents its own, fresh challenges, requiring further reflective action from us. In a world that is constantly changing, knowledge too is necessarily incomplete. In seeking to know, we can at best come closer to grasping the essence of the object under investigation; we can never attain absolute, final, or full knowledge. — James D. Kirylo (ed.), Reinventing Pedagogy of the Oppressed, 887

Categorization

• XREF: Grounds the epistemological humility claimed in ch15 and the critique of ‘evidence-based’ certainty. — connects to: Freire sought sufficient certainty to act without losing openness to challenge — James D. Kirylo (ed.), Reinventing Pedagogy of the Oppressed:…, 899; Genuine freedom requires historical perspective and perseverance, not spontaneity — James D. Kirylo (ed.), Reinventing Pedagogy of the Oppressed:…, 884; Unfettered reason leaves all knowledge merely provisional until further notice — Anthony Giddens, The Consequences of Modernity, 123 (+4 more)

Broader Connections

• Unfettered reason leaves all knowledge merely provisional until further notice #corroborates (0.90) — Anthony Giddens, The Consequences of Modernity, 123
• Absolute Knowledge is knowledge of its own limit, not closed totality #corroborates (0.80)
• Pure knowledge without a viewpoint is self-contradictory #qualifies (0.75) — Jean-Paul Sartre, Being and Nothingness, 836
• Human knowledge fails to answer life’s fundamental questions. #exemplifies (0.75) — Leo Tolstoy, A Confession, 64
• Knowledge and objectivity are only knowable in relation to humanity #qualifies (0.70)