Using the Taoist philosophy of Ziran-Wuwei to reconcile the nature-technology dichotomy in outdoor intercultural learning: a mini-ethnography of an ocean-crossing sail-training expedition

ABSTRACT

This paper provides an alternative lens of viewing digital technologies and networked spaces in outdoor intercultural learning, by introducing the Taoist philosophy of Ziran (nature) and Wuwei (inaction). The application of digital technology to outdoor learning has become prevailing and triggered critical debates and discussions among scholars and practitioners. The majority of the perspectives are, however, oriented in Western ideologies, and very rarely has any research considered this issue in the context of outdoor intercultural learning. A mini-ethnographic study was conducted to reconcile the nature-technology dichotomy during an EU-exchange sail-training voyage. Methodological implications are provided for conducting fieldwork in outdoor learning research, in line with the Ziran-Wuwei principles. The findings suggest that educators and facilitators follow the dialectical, relational, and contextual orientations to manage the (non)use of digital devices to maximise learners’ outdoor experiential engagement and reflections.

KEYWORDS:

• Taoist philosophy
• Ziran-Wuwei
• mobile devices
• outdoor intercultural learning
• sail-training

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Yujun Xu

Yujun Xu is a post-doc researcher at Peking University. She is also a global research affiliate at the University of Edinburgh where she completed her doctorate. Her main research interests lie in outdoor education and adventure learning, intercultural communication, Taoist philosophy, and digital ethics.