Critical Consciousness: A Study of Morality in Global, Historical Context

(Hardback)

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This volume is a study of empowered, resilient, and globally responsible moral consciousness in the historical context of a global transition to a new level of sociohistorical organization in society. This work develops further the Freirean concept of critical consciousness, and describes its lifespan ontogeny, integrating moral psychology, critical theory and cultural critique, education, religion, and social ethics theory with cross-cultural empirical research. What evolves is a new level of understanding of human motivation, and individual and collective human spiritual potential at the turn of the 21st century. Critical consciousness (CC) is analyzed in terms of the harmonious integration of mind and heart, of cognitive, volitional and affective capacities. Its lifespan evolution is described through three levels: Pre-CC, Transitional CC, and mature CC, and the dynamics of each level are explored through in-depth, cross-cultural case studies encompassing the continuum between ordinary people and moral leaders. The paradigmatic limitations of current education and social science from the prespective of the normative construct of critical consciousness are examined, and a foundation is provided for re-thinking contemporary educational vision. This work also explores the emerging spiritual psychology of integration at the turn of the century, as it begins to bridge the split between theory and praxis, to contribute more fully to the global efforts to evolve a civil society, based on justice and unity in diversity.

Reviews

"A book that needed to be written. In this volume Mustakova-Possardt has brilliantly woven together a number of essential, groundbreaking ideas that are urgently needed to promote the evolution of human consciousness. The timing of this volume's publication is impeccable. These thoughtful notions, taken seriously, constitute a powerful force that has the potential not only to promote individual moral development, but also international peace and good will. This is a courageous tour de force on the order of Maslow's Toward a Psychology of Being; it is a landmark contribution to the field. This inspiring volume will be used as a resource for many years to come."-Melvin E. Miller, Ph.D. Norwich University, co-editor of Spirituality, Ethics, and Relationship in Adulthood
"Mustakova-Possardt shines further light on the path to a vital integration of perspectives, creating fertile ground for re-thinking education in ways that rejoin systemic thought with the moral passions of both heart and mind to form the critical consciousness so essential for citizenship in today's world."-Sharon Daloz Parks author, Big Questions, Worthy Dreams
"This book is both brilliant and beautiful. It is an exposition of 'critical consciousness, ' an account of the development of the integration of the intellectual, emotional, moral, and spiritual aspects of the human being....It is an aspiring and uplifting text, leaving the reader with a strong sense of the difficulties of human development in the matrix of the various political and social systems in which we find ourselves thrown, yet enhancing our sense of realistic hope for our individual and collective development. My best advice: obtain a copy and read it."-Rhett Diessner Professor of Psychology & Education, Lewis-Clark State College
[w]ideranging and highly original....Dr. Mustakova-Possardt takes the concept of critical consciousness to the next level....Dr. Mustakova-Possardt's emphasis on the fundamental importance of possessing a global vision, as one of the milestones of critical consciousness, suggests a new framework for moral empowerment in an era of globalization.-One Country
While the central content of this book defends a critical consciousness framework, the final chapters challenge readers to add spirituality to educational programs and psychological research. Readers who search for cultural homogeneity are likely to find comfort in the theoretical emphasis on unity; cultural homogeneity appears to be prized over plurism. Others of us will find relief in listening closly to the perspectives of adults from Bulgaria and the United States who reveal the improbability of achieving this agenda.-Journal of Moral Education
"wideranging and highly original....Dr. Mustakova-Possardt takes the concept of critical consciousness to the next level....Dr. Mustakova-Possardt's emphasis on the fundamental importance of possessing a global vision, as one of the milestones of critical consciousness, suggests a new framework for moral empowerment in an era of globalization."-One Country
"[w]ideranging and highly original....Dr. Mustakova-Possardt takes the concept of critical consciousness to the next level....Dr. Mustakova-Possardt's emphasis on the fundamental importance of possessing a global vision, as one of the milestones of critical consciousness, suggests a new framework for moral empowerment in an era of globalization."-One Country
"While the central content of this book defends a critical consciousness framework, the final chapters challenge readers to add spirituality to educational programs and psychological research. Readers who search for cultural homogeneity are likely to find comfort in the theoretical emphasis on unity; cultural homogeneity appears to be prized over plurism. Others of us will find relief in listening closly to the perspectives of adults from Bulgaria and the United States who reveal the improbability of achieving this agenda."-Journal of Moral Education

Author Bio

ELENA MUSTAKOVA-POSSARDT is Assistant Professor of Psychology at the State University of West Georgia.