Philosophy of Education: Issues and Options (Contours of Christian Philosophy) [Paperback]

Michael L. Peterson (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 154 pages
• Publisher: Intervarsity Pr (September 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0877843457
• ISBN-13: 978-0877843450
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,827,819 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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4.0 out of 5 stars Rethinking our Philosophy Before Educating, February 11, 2012

By 

Bradley P. Hayton - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Philosophy of Education: Issues and Options (Contours of Christian Philosophy) (Paperback)

America has witnessed a lowering of literacy rates and competency scores across the board, despite an increasing amount of money spent. Universities are increasingly becoming multiversities, specializing in various trades and professions (especially business, accounting, computers, and such) as well as offering adult education classes during the evenings and weekends in order to attract the students and keep their institutions financially afloat. Consequently, educators, and especially Christian educators, are reconsidering their old assumptions and developing their own educational philosophy and systems.

Peterson writes excellent, though very limited, summaries and evaluations of both the traditional and contemporary philosophies of education. He then develops his own Christian philosophy of education, but it brevity makes it hardly worthwhile. He opts for a Platonic dialectic approach to education, contending that certain courses are more important than others. College liberal education should not be overly general, but should adequately acquaint students with the great ideas and lasting values of humankind as well as transmit the essential skills of continued learning.

He basically adopts Holmes' philosophy of education. He also raises several questions about various other issues in education, but sometimes answers these questions without adequate support, either logically or biblically. In sum, the book is a nice introduction to the field, but not definitive by any means.