Abstract

This monograph discusses Thomas Greenfield's writings and those of his two major detractors, Daniel Griffiths and Donald J. Willower. For nearly a decade Greenfield has attacked traditional theories of educational administration and argued for the centrality of mind in the construction of organizational and administrative reality. An introductory essay discloses the mode of reasoning evident in Greenfield's discourse by identifying ways in which disputation reveals a mental universe, also evident in the works of Griffiths and Willower. In three readings, Greenfield expresses doubts about what he sees as the ill-conceived nature of educational administration. He contends that placing meaning and intention upon experience shapes what we call organizations and that this process should be the focus of organizational theory. Griffith's reactions to Greenfield's doubts are to criticize organizational theories that pertain to educational administration and to offer suggestions that clarify concepts and restrict theories. Willower responds by exploring philosophical issues surrounding theory in educational administration, questioning its "raison d'etre" as a field of academic endeavor. Analysis of Greenfield and his critics demonstrates how theorizing in educational administration exposes differences about educational administration. Each reading provides a list of references or endnotes; an annotated bibliography is included. (CJH)