Education and the Value of Knowledge (Introductory studies in philosophy of education) - Softcover

Degenhardt, M. A. B.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0043701167 ISBN 13: 9780043701164

Publisher: Routledge, 1982

Synopsis

In this title, first published in 1982, the author deals with some of the all-important questions of curriculum justification such as ‘why do we value knowledge?’; ‘why is it that we value some kinds of knowledge more than others?’; ‘can we simply receive knowledge to be good, or is our belief that it is so grounded in man’s nature, or that of knowledge itself?’. Traditional theories of justification are examined, and there is a detailed discussion of contributions to this question by such well-known philosophers as Hirst, Peters, Elliott and White. This title will be of interest to student of the philosophy of education.

About this title

Synopsis

In the 19th century Herbert Spencer defined the central educational problem as being "what knowledge is of most worth?" and the question has remained the subject of unresolved debate ever since. In this book Dr Degenhardt makes a valuable contribution to the discussion. He provides a summary of the main grounds on which thinkers from Plato to the moderns have regarded the acquisition of knowledge as inherently beneficial, and in the final chapter he expounds his own solution to the question of its intrinsic worth and the importance to education of the right answer.

Edition details

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 1982
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0043701167
• ISBN 13: 9780043701164
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 112