Philosophical Scaffolding for the Construction of Critical Democratic Education

The Author: Richard A. Brosio is Professor of Social Foundations of Education at Ball State University. He received his B.A. in history and his Ph.D. in social foundations of education at the University of Michigan. He is the author of numerous articles, as well as monographs on John Dewey and The Frankfurt School, and A Radical Democratic Critique of Capitalist Education - a book that was a recipient of the American Educational Studies Association's Critics' Choice Award in 1994. In 1998 Dr. Brosio was honored with The James and Helen Merritt Invited Speaker Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Philosophy of Education.

«With passion, clarity, and a formidable range of scholarship, Richard A. Brosio presents a bracing synthesis of classic and contemporary educational thought. He is at once respectful yet appropriately critical of his sources: great and challenging thinkers - from Plato to Freire and beyond - who have shaped our understanding of teaching and learning. This book richly enlightens by stimulating both intellectual and moral reflection on the way we see our schools. It is a valuable resource for students of philosophy and foundations of education, critical pedagogy, the history of education, and related fields. I recommend it for anyone who seeks a broader understanding of schooling and society and is unafraid to question some of our most basic assumptions.»
(David Blacker, Assistant Professor, School of Education, University of Delaware)
«Building upon the insights of his 'A Radical Democratic Critique of Capitalist Education', Richard A. Brosio's marvelous discussion of important theorists and theories that have influenced education is invaluable for students and teachers. Writing in an engaging personal style that explains complex theoretical issues clearly, Brosio invites the reader to take part in historic dialogues in philosophy of education. Although he highlights influential thinkers, he never loses sight of the fact that working people have struggled against class, gender, and racial barriers to extend the blessings of democracy and education to all. He affirms the genuine progressive ideals of the Enlightenment in an analysis that is powerful and moving. Resting upon a foundation of Deweyan, existentialist, Freirean, and Marxist insights, his fair critique of postmodern and identity politics links class, gender, and race and reminds us that all identities ultimately reside within a capitalist political/economic context. He connects these to an ecological awareness of Mother Earth. This is an exceptional and vital work that will provoke strong and