slides on the philosophy of education

1. Philosophy of Education
Reader: J.M.Halstead
Liberal Values and Liberal education

2. Class Test # 3
Please write you name, student # and
your cell #on a blank sheet of paper.
Answer the following question in 10lines:
How are economic values (e.g. free
enterprise) a threat to liberal
education ?

3. Feedback from Test 2
 Many of us answered correctly.
 Rich application and relevance.
 Some did not read the text and copied
directly from the reader .
 In your summary notes you could
have remembered it as FER (freedom,
equality, rationality) and expanded it in
explanation.
 Serious philosophers emerging.

4. Three fundamental liberal values
1. Individual freedom/liberty
(to pursue your own needs and
interests)
2. Equality
(non-discrimination in society)
3. Rationality
(basing decisions on justifications)

5. Conflict between values
 Much conflict in literature between value
1 and 2 – which is more fundamental?
 Tensions between 1 and 2 gave rise to
value 3
 Principles of impartiality and tolerance –
linked to value 2 and 3
 Principles of personal autonomy –
linked to value 1 and 3

6. 1. Individual freedom/liberty
 Freedom to satisfy needs
 Realize interests
 Being free from constraint
 May include an individual life-plan

7. 2. Equality
 Focuses on dealings with others
 Equality of opportunity
 Attempts to equalize life/distribute
wealth and power

8. 3. Rationality
 What will produce or reduce
happiness
 Basis for resolution of conflict
 Kantian view = ‘search for the truth’

9. Rights
 Moral rights
◦ Those without which the 3 values cannot be
achieved
◦ Right to life itself
◦ Right not to be enslaved
◦ Right not to be brainwashed
 Social rights
◦ To education
◦ To housing
◦ To free medical care
◦ To minimum income
◦ Includes defining roles and distribution of power

10. Democracy
 Seen by liberals as safeguarding
against tyranny and guaranteeing
equal rights of citizens.
 Very much situated within the political
domain (state must protect public
interest and ensure social justice).

11. Economic value
 Accepts holding of private property
 Supports free market economy
 What does this say about value 2 –
equality???
 What does this say about
Education???

12. Values of liberal education
 Rationality
 Personal autonomy
 Equality of respect
 Multicultural education

13. Rationality
 Development of the rational mind = core
 Having good reasons for doing or
believing things
 Children must be taught critical thinking
and open-mindedness
 Indoctrination is considered
unacceptable

14. Personal autonomy
 Linked to values of freedom and
rationality
 Individuals become free choosers of
what to believe/do
 Ability to think for one-self
 Rational decision-making
 Rely on reason and not on authority
 But: take into account community
structures and social interdependence

15. Equality of respect
 Abuse and disrespect in societies
generate conflict
 Opposes discrimination
 Implies welcoming of diversity not
conformity
 Equality of opportunity = equal access to
resources

16. Multicultural education
 Respect those who think/do differently
 See diversity as a source of
enrichment
 Be open to a variety of ways of looking
at the world

17. Practical implications for us
 What do you think the practical
implications of these values of liberal
education are for our schools today?

18. Interesting educational facts:
 Spend 10 percent of national budget on education. We
spend 5.
 Provides free meals and uniforms for students.
 20-25 students in a primary school class, 15 in High
school.
 Operating hrs of schools 6:30am to 6:30 pm . Mobile
teachers for those who can't come to school.
 5 yrs higher education for teachers, half a masters Our
economy is stronger, why don't we do better?
What country do you think this is?