In Defence of Liberal Education: Philosophy and Controversies

(Paperback)

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What is a traditional liberal education, and what are the arguments for it in the twenty-first century This collection of essays by Anthony OHear sets out an alternative educational philosophy to the prevailing progressivist thinking on these issues, which tends to be either utilitarian or child-centred, or both, and often politically motivated. This book explores these trends and their historical roots, and contrasts them with liberal education.

There are few contemporary expositions or philosophical defences of this view of education. In Defence of Liberal Education is one attempt to make the case for it. The author recounts his own personal experience of setting up the University of Buckinghams education department and of lessons he learned in advising governments on educational policy over a number of years. He outlines what might constitute a classical curriculum and its virtues, as well as criticizing the tendencies currently militating against it. He considers the role parents rights play should play in their childrens education, and challenges a number of contemporary myths about learning and education. He points to the confusions involved in attempts to 'de-colonize' the curriculum and to dangers inherent in involving schools in campaigns over gender and sexuality. Liberal education, by contrast, aims to enable pupils to reach calm and considered judgements on disputed matters, against a background of immersion in the best that has been thought and known.

Author Bio

Anthony OHear OBE is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Buckingham and was Head of its Department of Education. For twenty-five years he was Honorary Director of the Royal Institute of Philosophy and editor of its journal Philosophy, as well as co-founder of the Journal of Applied Philosophy and editor emeritus of The Fortnightly Review. He has published extensively on philosophy and on education and has been an advisor to several British governments on education.