Critical Theory began in 1930 it is a cross between Marxism and Social Construction due to the fact that it is concern about material circumstances to understand the society in a better way. We have created our reality therefore; we have the ability to change it. In other words Marxism was more about material whereas Social Construction was to create our reality. We need to critique the given social order and focus on transformation. In other words change the things for the better. Emancipation is the human potential, we want to release slavery and enhance the beauty of human kind. This then creates a series of wants of an individual. Critical Theorists are so critical that they are critical in their own work as well; their main point is focus on transformation.
To transform a community, an individual, or the world as a whole we need to step back and explain what is going on in the scene, plan how to change it, and create norms. For example, in the parish I use to work at we did retreats for youth in Easter, it was very important because it was the main plot of the story behind Jesus. Yet, many of the Catholic practitioners did not know in depth of their religion. So, what a group of youth, missionaries, and other helpers came together and formed a team to evangelize youth. First, the ones who were leading learned about the community they were going to work with, then they planned out the roles they were going to tackle in order to get their attention, and finally they created norms around the atmosphere. In other words they change hearts and minds so that they young adults follow God.
By doing this retreat, they created transformation in themselves, and in their community. Not only did the young youth that were evangelized get critiqued but they critique themselves to change their norms for the better when they fall again to sin later on. After the retreat was over in spring of 2010 a youth group called Agape developed, and now youth themselves are transforming lives of other youth that practice the Catholic religion yet, they lack of knowledge about it.
Agape youth group has a group of youth working with only two adults and the rest are youth leaders to teach them about God. There are about 25 attendees a week to this group and every year during Easter a retreat is held for about 200 youth. This transformation has evolved among many individuals. This then relates to the three main point of Praxis marriage of theory and practice. In other words we need to come out with solutions not just set them out. One we must explain what is going on, second, practice solutions or plan how to do it, and third, create norms into the atmosphere, change hearts and minds to your side.
Agape then reflects this idea about critical theory, by applying the three points mentioned above. Not only does it view the larger aspect of the world, but plans solutions of the problems occurring and then produces a positive change that changes an individual, through the heart and mind for a better way of life.
To transform a community, an individual, or the world as a whole we need to step back and explain what is going on in the scene, plan how to change it, and create norms. For example, in the parish I use to work at we did retreats for youth in Easter, it was very important because it was the main plot of the story behind Jesus. Yet, many of the Catholic practitioners did not know in depth of their religion. So, what a group of youth, missionaries, and other helpers came together and formed a team to evangelize youth. First, the ones who were leading learned about the community they were going to work with, then they planned out the roles they were going to tackle in order to get their attention, and finally they created norms around the atmosphere. In other words they change hearts and minds so that they young adults follow God.
By doing this retreat, they created transformation in themselves, and in their community. Not only did the young youth that were evangelized get critiqued but they critique themselves to change their norms for the better when they fall again to sin later on. After the retreat was over in spring of 2010 a youth group called Agape developed, and now youth themselves are transforming lives of other youth that practice the Catholic religion yet, they lack of knowledge about it.
Agape youth group has a group of youth working with only two adults and the rest are youth leaders to teach them about God. There are about 25 attendees a week to this group and every year during Easter a retreat is held for about 200 youth. This transformation has evolved among many individuals. This then relates to the three main point of Praxis marriage of theory and practice. In other words we need to come out with solutions not just set them out. One we must explain what is going on, second, practice solutions or plan how to do it, and third, create norms into the atmosphere, change hearts and minds to your side.
Agape then reflects this idea about critical theory, by applying the three points mentioned above. Not only does it view the larger aspect of the world, but plans solutions of the problems occurring and then produces a positive change that changes an individual, through the heart and mind for a better way of life.