Ethical Visions of Education

Book excerpt: Putting good ideas into practice is one of the greatest challenges facing any educator. Eminent thinkers—John Dewey, Jane Addams, and others—dedicated their lives to producing ways of thinking about education and human welfare that have influenced many persons’ lives. At the same time, these renowned thinkers were also trying to solve problems that every classroom teacher faces, namely, how to help children grow and learn as global citizens in a complex world. This pathbreaking book edited by David T. Hansen provides readers with a collection of insights drawn from a diverse array of thinkers that proves there is nothing quite as practical as a good educational philosophy. It will challenge readers to articulate their own working vision of how to integrate the “big ideas” about education into daily practice. “Fascinating and readable accounts of great educational philosophies from all over the world. It is a major contribution to both philosophy of education and global education.” —Nel Noddings, Lee L. Jacks Professor of Child Education Emerita, Stanford University “Provides a moral counterweight to the forces of standardization, commercialization, and politicization that increasingly threaten our schools. This book should be read, and read again, by everyone who takes education seriously.” —Larry Hickman, Director of The Center for Dewey Studies, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale “A dynamic, moving exploration of educational philosophy. This is the kind of book, a kind of approach to philosophy, that the field of education in general and the field of philosophy of education in particular needs. The book truly sparkles.” —Dale T. Snauwaert, Director, Center for Nonviolence and Democratic Education, Judith Herb College of Education, University of Toledo “An inspiring intellectual companion for concerned educators who are committed to transforming powerful educational ideas into socially responsive pedagogical actions.” —Huey-li Li, Professor of Education, Department Educational Foundations and Leadership, University of Akron