What’s the use of philosophy of education?

The philosophy of education stands in danger of becoming a neglected field at precisely the moment we need to be able to reflect upon the increasingly apparent costs of a technocratic attitude to education. ‘What’s the use of philosophy of education?’ is a one-day workshop dedicated to exploring and re-energising philosophy of education, broadly conceived. We welcome educators, philosophers, social theorists and scholars from any field interested in education.

Theme

“Persons...are to be formed, persons who...will uphold some substance in life, who will have not only morale, but moral strength, and so will be able to pass on moral strength to others;...What we seek to do through the educating of individuals is the building of a community...”. 

Martin Buber, First Circular Letter of the Centre for Jewish Adult Education, May 1934

Many of the educational policy changes emerging from the Coalition Government seem far-reaching and radical, but critical debate surrounding the initiatives remain largely at a populist level. What role does the philosophy of education have in a policy environment determined by a
political urge to capture the electoral middle-ground? Is there an urgency attached to thinking about educational matters in the face of ideology?  Has a generation of vocal philosophers of education been replaced with philosophical quietism?

Please see workshop webpage for further details: