Research Methodology of Posthumanism in Education

Introduction and Objectives
From a humanist viewpoint, human reason elevates people above all other beings, positioning them at the pinnacle of the hierarchy and endowing them with rights. In posthumanism, however, the focus shifts away from humans as the center of the universe and questions their absolute control. This perspective challenges traditional hierarchies, highlighting the interconnectedness of everything throughout the world. By exploring the relationships between living and non-living entities, we can gain a deeper understanding of the universe. Posthumanism draws on the ideas of French philosophers Deleuze and Guattari, along with the theory of non-representation. Essentially, this perspective suggests that humans are part of a complex web of relationships with both living and non-living beings. The concept of non-representation emphasizes that it's not about how accurately we depict the world; instead, the focus is on how our experiences, emotions, and interactions with our surroundings, as well as with other humans and non-humans, are formed. Posthumanism indicates that a new paradigm is developing in humanities research, where the significance of matter, objects, and their roles in the research process is increasingly recognized. Barad suggests that in this paradigm, humans are not just causes or effects; they are integral parts of a world that is constantly evolving. This study, initially, aims to explore and clarify what post-humanist research is, and then, to examine how this kind of research is applied in the field of education.
 
Method
Considering the nature of this research, the approach taken will be both descriptive and analytical. Initially, the description, explanation, and analysis of post-humanism will be discussed. This will involve exploring the roots and foundations of this perspective, how this thought has developed, and the contexts surrounding it. Diverse data will be gathered from relevant sources, particularly primary texts and expert opinions in the field, along with a detailed description of posthumanism and its research methods. Next, the focus will be on posthumanism in education, aiming to describe, analyze, and clarify it. This part of the study will take the form of critical philosophical inquiry, with key goals including reducing ambiguity, enhancing understanding, and improving educational practices. Generally, this type of research aims to clarify and make concepts accessible to audiences, ultimately contributing to the advancement and enhancement of educational practices. Following the description, analysis, and clarification, various aspects of this approach and how it can be applied in education, considering both its strengths and weaknesses will be critically assessed.
 
Results
At the heart of post-humanist education lie several key principles. This paper explores two vital tools for conducting this type of research: interviewing objects and observing their actions, as well as recording events. Interviewing objects is one of the primary methods in post-humanist research. This concept has two interpretations: the first involves directly engaging with the objects themselves, while the second pertains to interviewing humans while taking into account the presence and role of objects. The first interpretation is particularly relevant to digital objects and technologies, but this paper suggests that it aligns more with the idea of observation than with traditional interviews. The second tool involves closely observing how objects act and documenting events. This approach is significant in post-humanist research, especially in education, as it emphasizes the careful study of objects and their roles in different contexts. In humanist frameworks, objects are often viewed as passive beings without any real agency, leading us to overlook their potential contributions to research and knowledge creation. In contrast, the post-humanist perspective recognizes that all objects can exhibit some form of agency and can influence our actions and thoughts. Some researchers in this field frame the observation of object actions and the interactions between humans and non-humans within an ethnographic context, using terms such as materialist ethnography and post-humanist institutional ethnography.
 
Discussion and Conclusions
In general, the post-humanist focus on the blurry lines between humans, animals, objects, and technologies raises concerns about the potential erosion of distinctly human traits like consciousness, creativity, and moral reasoning. The concern is that by merging these boundaries, posthumanism might weaken the unique status and moral standing of humanity. When humans are placed on the same level as other beings, it risks diminishing their status and could lead to a loss of their special dignity. If humans exist within a complex web of material, discursive, and technological influences, then the notion of education as a means to cultivate individual skills and autonomy becomes challenging. The emphasis on materiality, technology, and the world beyond humans in posthumanism may overlook the crucial social, cultural, and political aspects of education. Since post-humanist research often centers on the relational creation of knowledge with material objects, it primarily examines the relationship between humans and non-humans. As a result, the unique interactions among humans and the dynamics between students and teachers are frequently overlooked. This neglect can complicate our understanding of the educational process and its various dimensions. Additionally, it's important to note that many studies on post-humanist topics are abstract and theoretical, which may hinder their application in real-world contexts to tackle pressing ethical, political, and social issues.
 
Acknowledgments
I would like to thank the journal editors and the anonymous reviewers for their valuable and constructive comments.
 
Conflict of Interest
There was no conflict of interest.