Critiquing the Critique: Postcolonialism, Moral Concerns, and Epistemology: An essay review of The Routledge Handbook to Sociology of Music Education, Part I

Abstract

In this review essay response to Part 1 of The Routledge Handbook to Sociology of Music Education, I explore the entanglement of moral and epistemological concerns that surround the discourses of postcolonialism. Postcolonialism critiques Western hegemonies and raises questions not only about politics and morality but also ontology and epistemology that go to the very heart of the educational endeavour. I attempt to tease out some dimensions not often included in this literature-epistemological arguments about knowledge itself. I also raise the issue of how to ensure that criticality maintains a constant reflexive edge within the academic community to avoid simply utilising the moral high ground as justification for changes to education. I recount the principles of Social Realism as a possible means to resolve the vexed questions about what and whose knowledge counts in education.