Commentary: Paulo Freire and the future of the radical tradition
Abstract
Paulo Freire, the Brazilian educationalist, was born in Recife, Brazil, 19 September 1921; he died in Sao Paulo, Brazil2 May 1997. Many of us, throughout the world, consider him to have been the most important educationalist of the twentieth century, certainly the most important philosopher of radical adult education. The two of us have spent fl..fteen years attempting to apply his philosophy within the context of British higher education, a philosophy often and incorrectly associated only with literacy education in the 'underdeveloped' world or pockets of poverty and oppression elsewhere. Freire's philosophy is much more comprehensive than to be relevant only to a specillc site of practice. It applies to all levels and forms of education; therefore as long as the possibility of 'authentic' education exists, Freire's ideas must endure and spread. In keeping with the spirit of that pronouncement, we want to discuss Freire's philosophy, his philosophical approach to education and then to consider the future of radical education in this particular historical conjuncture.
Abstract
Paulo Freire, the Brazilian educationalist, was born in Recife, Brazil, 19 September 1921; he died in Sao Paulo, Brazil2 May 1997. Many of us, throughout the world, consider him to have been the most important educationalist of the twentieth century, certainly the most important philosopher of radical adult education. The two of us have spent fl..fteen years attempting to apply his philosophy within the context of British higher education, a philosophy often and incorrectly associated only with literacy education in the 'underdeveloped' world or pockets of poverty and oppression elsewhere. Freire's philosophy is much more comprehensive than to be relevant only to a specillc site of practice. It applies to all levels and forms of education; therefore as long as the possibility of 'authentic' education exists, Freire's ideas must endure and spread. In keeping with the spirit of that pronouncement, we want to discuss Freire's philosophy, his philosophical approach to education and then to consider the future of radical education in this particular historical conjuncture.