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Academic

: The Faculty Lounge

Ballerina Epistemology

By Kevin Maillard

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As legal scholars, we often find ourselves on a side of an issue where it is difficult to comprehend the other side.  Many times, understanding the opposing side is a teleological triumph unto itself.  In my Family Law classes, I encourage students to imagine the legal atmosphere of different eras and different places that seem foreign to our own.  It is hard for them to imagine a world where interracial marriage was illegal (Loving v Virginia), or where convictions awaited those who distributed and/or used birth control (Griswold and Eisenstadt).  Attempting to see and understand the other side--to truly appreciate its subjective logic--takes a bit of practice.

On the first day of class, I showed this YouTube video to teach them about what Faulkner would call "Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird."  In this video of a twirling ballerina, the woman spins either clockwise or counterclockwise, depending on the dominant brain hemisphere of the user. Right brainers (imaginative, impetuous) will see her spinning clockwise; Left brainers (logical, practical)  will see her turn counter-clockwise.  Those who use both sides equally will see her switch in mid-air.

It is interesting to see the reactions that students had, especially when someone sitting next to them saw the completely opposite thing.  It's an excellent (and very entertaining) demonstration of understanding.

Full post as published by The Faculty Lounge on September 15, 2009 (boomark / email).

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