Existentialism in Education: What It Means [Paperback]

Van Cleve Morris (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1990 | ISBN-10: 0881334979 | ISBN-13: 978-0881334975

A personal book that presents its mode of argument as a "memo from author to friend!" Much has happened in the modern world since this book was first published, but Existentialism still survives and flourishes as a viable philosophy of life and education. Its message is still as fresh and straightforward and commanding as it was in the past: (1) The American ethic has always been grounded in self-determination and self-affirmation. This book shows how this ethic can be advanced to its next level of application to American life. (2) The American school has for decades turned its face to the subject-matter curriculum and the problem-solving method, relieving the student of decision making. This book shows how to bring students to the forefront of learning, enjoining them to take charge of their own growth and development. (3) American life is saturated with blaming others for our troubles. This book shows the way back to a world of radical freedom, but each person taking personal responsibility for how he or she lives a human life. Schooling, and Educational Policies (ISBN 0881335231).

Product Details

• Paperback: 163 pages
• Publisher: Waveland Pr Inc (March 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0881334979
• ISBN-13: 978-0881334975
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,329,148 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A marvelous help in creating a teaching philosophy, July 12, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Existentialism in Education: What It Means (Paperback)

This short book is a lucid explanation of what existentialism is and how Existentialism As A Philosophy has four chapters clearly explaining the chapters showing what learning would be like for students who had a teacher using an existentialist educational philosophy. Any teacher-probably grades 5 through college-either using or planning to use a participatory classroom, will find reading this book a useful, exhilarating experience. I know I did. I read it in fall 1969 and found that it helped shape my final 19 years teaching during my 33-year career teaching high school American Studies (American literature and American history). If I ever meet the author, I'll give him a huge hug and a sincere "Thank you!"

3.0 out of 5 stars not great, February 27, 2009

By 

JH Factor - See all my reviews

This review is from: Existentialism in Education: What It Means (Paperback)

the book does a good job of outlining what existentialism is a as a philosophy, however, i do not think that it is able to connect the ideas to education in a meaningful way. i think that this topic has a lot of room for growth and imo should be the foundation of education. for people interested in the topic, you can just read any books about existentialism to understand it, and should look into books about different types of alternative education-which is where you'd be most likely to find similar ideas that are actually being put to practice.