Gilbert Simondon and Paulo Freire: The human, the technique and the culture. For a pedagogy of technique

Abstract

This article proposes a dialogue between two authors who, at first sight, do not seem to have much in common: Paulo Freire and Gilbert Simondon. The dialogue will revolve around three main themes: the human, technique and culture. For each of theme, the authors' perspectives on the specific topic will be explored, that is, what do Simondon and Freire think about the human, technique and culture? What are the possible pedagogical implications of each perspective? This comparative exercise aims not only to highlight the similarities and differences in their views on each theme, but also to propose a possible convergence between their thoughts. The aim then is to use key elements from the work of Freire and Simondon to finally make a proposal focused on pedagogy, specifically in light of the technical theme. In particular, the article will discuss the possibility of a pedagogy of technique as a field of tension, where issues, conflicts, solutions, and potential pathways for educational thought on the technical can emerge.