Exploring learning in critical realism

Abstract

Critical realism is a philosophy of science, and not exclusively a theory of learning. However, because philosophic and scientific practice can be considered types of learning, a philosophy of science is likely either to have an implicit theory of learning or to have implications for learning theory, or both. In addition, as a philosophy of science, critical realism can provide general recommendations about how to carry out research on learning. This chapter is therefore an investigation into learning from various critical realist perspectives.