Unlearning towards an uncertain future

Author(s)
Markus F. Peschl
Abstract

Purpose: While many approaches in the field of unlearning aim at describing, understanding or explaining the “what” and/or “how” of unlearning, this paper aims to focus on the “where-to” and the goal of unlearning. In many cases, unlearning starts off with a specific result or goal in mind. This paper suggests that such an approach has to be challenged in the context of a highly complex and uncertain world and to introduce a mode of unlearning following a strategy of future-oriented open-endedness. Design/methodology/approach: This conceptual paper draws on (both theoretical/philosophical and empirical) interdisciplinary evidence from a wide variety of fields, such as organization studies, organizational (un)learning, systems theory, cognitive science and innovation studies. Findings: It turns out that open-endedness in unlearning processes plays a central role, especially if we are confronted with high levels of uncertainty and complexity. In such an environment, following a strategy of co-becoming with an unfolding environment and with an emergent goal seems to be more promising than aiming at a preconceived (un-)learning goal. Originality/value: The unlearning literature provides various approaches to what unlearning is and how it can be executed. However, understanding the actual goals and outcomes of unlearning and how these goals are identified and determined is a rather under-researched field. In many cases, they are preconceived in advance finding their realization in new forms of knowledge, assumptions, belief systems, values or routines. This paper challenges this strategy and addresses the gap of how it is possible to unlearn toward an uncertain future. This has an impact on the process of unlearning itself; it has to be reframed and understood as an open-ended strategy for identifying emerging future potentials, purposes and goals in a process of co-becoming with an unfolding future.

Organisation(s)
Department of Philosophy, Vienna Cognitive Science Hub
Journal
Learning Organization
Volume
26
Pages
454-469
No. of pages
16
ISSN
0969-6474
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1108/TLO-11-2018-0192
Publication date
07-2019
Peer reviewed
Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
603124 Theory of science, 503032 Teaching and learning research
Keywords
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Education, Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management
Portal url
https://ucris.univie.ac.at/portal/en/publications/unlearning-towards-an-uncertain-future(fc61eb03-0357-4d43-9a65-349c339e2c8d).html