Theory should listen to and learn from movement articulations rather than dismiss them

Evidence

Now the fact that activists tend to accept ambiguity and plurality more often and thoroughly than theorists is not necessarily a reason to construct a theory that way. Political and social theory must still criticize, refine, and expand the articulations and conceptions of movements. But theorists must engage activists who articulate their struggles and goals with terms used in the academy, and philosophers have to listen to such activists and learn something from them. Academics should not be afraid of adopting an approach that has been articulated by movements, especially when their approach has made such activism, and the issues involved, more engaging in the eyes of the public. — David Schlosberg, Defining Environmental Justice, 618

Categorization

• XREF: Parallels the Eco-Justice Education theme of valuing movement/local knowledge over expert imposition. — connects to: Theory must prove itself theoretically rather than gesture toward practice — Dirk Braunstein, Adorno’s Critique of Political Economy, 1202; Social movements generate theory rather than merely applying it; Theory is a necessary detour into concepts to break through the chaos of appearances (+3 more)
• recurring: this claim recurs 2 times within its source

Broader Connections

• Theory must prove itself theoretically rather than gesture toward practice #contradicts (0.90) — Dirk Braunstein, Adorno’s Critique of Political Economy, 1202
• Social movements generate theory rather than merely applying it #corroborates (0.85)
• Social movements and historical conjunctures generate theoretical moments rather than merely consuming them #corroborates (0.85) — Hall, Stuart, Essential Essays, Volume 1, 251
• Theory is needed to break through deceptive appearances but cannot dictate action #qualifies (0.82)
• Theory is a necessary detour into concepts to break through the chaos of appearances #complicates (0.80)
• Contact theory accumulated qualifiers from experience rather than theory #exemplifies (0.75)