1. 1 What is "philosophy of education?" Philosophy AND Education?

2. 2 Philosophy of Education A performative definition A literal definition

3. 3 What is philosophy?

4. 4 Analytic philosophy, as method --offering fine-grained distinctions and typologies, diagnosing hidden equivocations or blurriness in the ordinary concepts found within educational slogans or cliches; and criticizing faulty logic or misleading uses of statistics or other evidence.

5. 5 Not just “definitions” Creative – “resulting from originality of thought or expression” (Random House) What constitutes originality of thought? How does originality differ from similar ideas (bizarre, unique)? How do we determine “original”?

6. 6 Turning to the continents and margins Continental philosophy – existentialism, phenomenology Critical theory, feminism, postmodernism

7. 7 Philosophy of Education The process (and resultant contents/ideals) in which educational practitioners or reformers develop thoughtful, and to varying degrees systematic or coherent, justifications for their educational practices and commitments.

8. 8 Serving two masters Seeking credibility in relation to the traditions of philosophy Seeking legitimacy within the utilitarian climate of schools of education and among teachers

9. 9 Political Philosophy - the study of people living in societies, governed by institutions and practices that mold, constrain, and in many ways constitute the lives they lead (Christman, 2002)

10. 10 Questions central to political philosophy What is the ultimate justification of political authority? How tolerant must the state be of dissidents and subversive groups? To what extent should the state attempt to promote the good of its citizens, as opposed to simply protecting their liberty to pursue their own good?

11. 11 Distributive justice… What is the most fair and just distribution of material goods and social benefits for a society (and to what degree should inequalities in wealth that capitalist economic markets produce be left uncorrected)?

12. 12 The Liberal Democratic Tradition Securing justice, not promoting citizens’ good or virtue