Heather's review
The Reflective Practitioner: How Professionals Think in Action (Arena) by Donald A. Schon
OK, I read this book for social work school, so it's not exactly the next volume in Harry Potter. If it were, however, the book would likely be called "Harry Potter: A Guide to Expert Wizardy in an age of Failed Experts." To give you a glimpse.
Basically, the book explores the idea of the failed professional in today's (or 1983's) age. No longer can we rely on experts to tell us everything - time and time again in recent history have the failed to tell us the truth. In the area of social work, professionals have been especially eager to "solve everything" but have historically fallen short.
Schon's book goes beyond social work to reveal that true experts must balance learned knowledge with experiential knowledge and intuitive learning. What is true is constantly changing, and our clients have been historically resistant to "expert wisdom." Consequently, no single theory or approach can solve a problem - instead, we as professionals must refra...more
Basically, the book explores the idea of the failed professional in today's (or 1983's) age. No longer can we rely on experts to tell us everything - time and time again in recent history have the failed to tell us the truth. In the area of social work, professionals have been especially eager to "solve everything" but have historically fallen short.
Schon's book goes beyond social work to reveal that true experts must balance learned knowledge with experiential knowledge and intuitive learning. What is true is constantly changing, and our clients have been historically resistant to "expert wisdom." Consequently, no single theory or approach can solve a problem - instead, we as professionals must refra...more
