Speaking of Teaching: Lessons from History [Hardcover]

Gabriel Moran (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0739128396 | ISBN-13: 978-0739128398 | Publication Date: September 18, 2008

Speaking of Teaching: Lessons from History focuses on teaching as a fundamental act of all human beings, viewing the question of teaching through the lens of five famous thinkers and two contemporary problems. Moran argues that teaching is not given the attention that it deserves and proposes to situate school teaching in the context of many forms of teaching. Tracing the history of the idea of teaching from Socrates to Wittgenstein in the first several chapters, this book also examines the intricacies of teaching morality and religion, showcasing society's ambivalence about teaching.

Editorial Reviews

Review

As usual, Gabriel Moran has brought an extraordinary panoramic perspective to bear on the study of teaching. Since the words 'learning' and 'learner' have become almost idolized in educational discourse, it is more than timely for a thoughtful treatise exploring what it means to teach in the light of great historical writings related to the topic. An excellent follow-up to Showing How: The Act of Teaching (1997), it not only clarifies the notion of teaching, it sows the seeds for many important practical implications for teaching in various contexts. (Graham Rossiter )

Moran's important book engages ideas of great educational commentators—from Plato to Wittgenstein—to draw the reader into an exploration of teaching. The wide-ranging discussion focuses in two central chapters on the question as to whether morality and religion can be taught. This is an excellent book by a remarkable educator, whose wisdom, knowledge, and insight permeate the whole text. (Jackson, Robert )

Speaking of Teaching is clear, well-written, original, and refreshingly ambitious. (Jonathan Zimmerman )

About the Author

Gabriel Moran is professor emeritus of educational philosophy at New York University.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 214 pages
• Publisher: Lexington Books (September 18, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0739128396
• ISBN-13: 978-0739128398
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,190,814 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Once again, profoundly wise and designedly practical, May 17, 2010

By 

Joseph T. Forgue "philosophical gadfly" (Oklahoma City, OK USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Speaking of Teaching: Lessons from History (Paperback)

Gabriel Moran again shows how, to the attentive reader, to situate the teaching-learning enterprise within its personal, societal and, for lack of a better word, cosmic perspective. He may no longer be in the popular forefront of contemporary religious education, but that is a great loss for those new to the field as they base their designs on sandy soil. Would that Moran become again a mentor to all those engaged in showing all of us how to raise the questions embedded in the depths of our human experiences, questions the developing answers to which, will anchor each person's quest for meaning, truth, beauty and love. Joseph Forgue; Oklahoma City, OK