This volume examines Otto Friedrich Bollnow’s philosophical approach to education, which brought Heidegger’s existentialism together with other theories of what it is to be “human.” This introduction to Bollnow's work begins with a summary of the theoretical influences that Bollnow synthesized, and goes on to outline his highly original account of experiential “educational reality”--namely, as a reality alternately “harmonious” or “broken,” but fundamentally “guided.” This book will be of value to scholars and students of education and philosophy, especially those interested in bringing larger existential questions into connection with everyday educational engagement.
Existentialism represents a protest against the rationalism of traditional philosophy, against misleading notions of the bourgeois culture, and the dehumanizing values of industrial civilization. Since alienation, loneliness and self-estrangement constitute threats to human personality in the modern world, existential thought has viewed as its cardinal concerns a quest for subjective truth, a reaction against the ‘negation of Being’ and a perennial search for freedom. From the ancient Greek philosopher, Socrates, to the twentieth century French philosopher, Jean Paul Sartre, and other thinkers have dealt with this tragic sense of ontological reality - the human situation within a comic context The book put forward is the beginning of an attempt to revive existentialism by addressing these issues. The idea is eventually to present a conception of personhood that is recognizably existentialist, or similar to that presented by writers like Kierkegaard, Heidegger, Jaspers, and Sartre in certain fundamental ways, but that takes into account the last twenty years of developments in the many different areas of philosophy that directly affect our understanding of what it is to be a person. The result will hopefully be a more ‘sophisticated’ existentialist theory of personhood that can be presented in contemporary terms as a serious challenge to current dogmas in metaphysics and moral theory, and be defended against the ascendant naturalistic, rationalistic, or pragmatist alternatives.
In Existential Philosophy and the Promise of Education: Learning from Myths and Metaphors, Professor Gordon draws on some well-known myths and metaphors of various Existentialist thinkers and writers as a lens and an interpretative framework with which to explore a variety of issues in philosophy of education.
Existentialism For Beginners is an entertaining romp through the history of a philosophical movement that has had a broad and enduring influence on Western culture. From the middle of the Nineteenth Century through the late Twentieth Century, existentialism informed our politics and art, and still exerts its influence today. Tracing the movement’s beginnings with close-up views of seminal figures like Kierkegaard, Dostoyevsky and Nietzsche, Existentialism For Beginners follows its intellectual and literary trail to German philosophers Jaspers and Heidegger, and finally to the movement’s flowering in post-World-War-II France thanks to masterworks by such giants as Jean Paul Sartre, Albert Camus, Simone de Beauvoir, plus many others. Illustrations throughout — at once lighthearted and gritty — help readers explore and understand a style of thinking that, while pervasive in its influence, is often seen as obscure, difficult, cryptic and dark. Existentialism For Beginners draws the movement’s many diverse elements together to provide an accessible introduction for those who seek a better understanding of the topic, and an enjoyable historical review packed with timeless quotes from existentialism’s leading lights.
This book contextualizes Maxine Greene's educational pedagogy within an existentialist tradition. By drawing on the works of Jean-Paul Sartre, Paulo Freire, and Merleau-Ponty, Professor Rasheed analyzes how Greene's work represents an advance in existentialist discourse via her interpretation of concepts, such as choice, freedom, and possibility within an educational setting.
In a world teeming with surface-level interactions and fleeting digital connections, Existentialism emerges as a beacon for those seeking depth, purpose, and authenticity in their lives. This compelling tome not only demystifies one of philosophy's most profound schools of thought but also reclaims it as a vital force for contemporary reflection and action. Dive into the heart of existentialism with chapters that explore its birth in the upheaval of past centuries and its evolution into a philosophy that resonates with the very core of human existence. From the fundamental existential themes of freedom, responsibility, and authenticity, to its expression in art, relationships, and society—this book offers a comprehensive and accessible journey through existentialist thought. Each page challenges the reader to confront the quintessential existential questions: Who am I? Why am I here? What choices lead to true fulfillment? Existentialism is not just a reflection on human existence; it is a guide for living it with intention. Whether you are a student of philosophy, a seeker of wisdom, or simply a curious mind grappling with the human experience, this book is an essential companion. It promises not only to enlighten but also to inspire action and instill the courage to face life's absurdities with optimism and grace. Encounter existentialism not as a bygone theory but as a vibrant, living dialogue—one that continues to shape and be shaped by the human experience. The journey within these pages is both a mirror and a map: reflecting who we have been, who we are, and who we might become in the uncharted terrain of the modern age. Existentialism invites you to engage with life’s deepest questions and emerge with a renewed passion for the authentic life. Embrace the call to adventure within your own existence and join the existential voyage that begins with this book.
The book aims to familiarise readers with the most important perennial questions in philosophy of education. It explores the ideas and views of famous Indian and Western philosophers, theologians, and educationists with distinctive theories of education and methods of teaching. It is a very exhaustive and serious study on the subject.
