Praxis school

The Praxis School, also known as the Toronto School of Communication, was a group of Canadian communication theorists and scholars based in Toronto, Canada, during the 1970s and 1980s. The school was influenced by critical theory, cultural studies, and the Frankfurt School, and it played a significant role in advancing communication and media studies in Canada.

Key figures associated with the Praxis School include:

1. Harold Innis (1894-1952): Although not a direct member of the Praxis School, Harold Innis, a Canadian economist and communication scholar, heavily influenced its members. Innis’s work focused on the role of media and communication technologies in shaping civilizations and cultures.
2. Marshall McLuhan (1911-1980): One of the most prominent members of the Praxis School, Marshall McLuhan is known for his groundbreaking ideas about the impact of media on human consciousness and culture. He coined the phrase “the medium is the message” and explored the effects of different communication technologies on society.
3. Eric Havelock (1903-1988): Eric Havelock, a classicist and communication theorist, was another influential member of the Praxis School. His work centered on the transition from oral to written culture and the effects of writing on human cognition.
4. Edmund Carpenter (1922-2011): Edmund Carpenter was an anthropologist and media theorist associated with the Praxis School. He explored the impact of media and technology on different societies and cultures.
5. Walter Ong (1912-2003): Walter Ong, a Jesuit priest and communication scholar, contributed to the Praxis School’s ideas about the role of oral and written communication in human history and culture.

The Praxis School’s work was interdisciplinary and drew from fields such as communication studies, anthropology, history, and philosophy. Its members were interested in understanding how communication technologies, media, and language shape human perception, social structures, and cultural practices.

The Praxis School’s ideas had a lasting impact on communication studies and cultural theory. Their insights into the role of media in shaping society and human consciousness continue to be relevant in the digital age, where communication technologies play an even more prominent role in shaping how we perceive and interact with the world.