Publication Type

Journal Article

Version

acceptedVersion

Publication Date

3-2021

Abstract

Humanist ideas in education have been promoted by both Western thinkers and classical wisdom texts of Asia. Exploring this connection, I examine the educational philosophy of an iconic ancient Tamil (Indian) text, the Thiruvalluvar Kural, by juxtaposing it with a contemporary humanist classic, Paulo Freire’s Pedagogy of the Oppressed. As this comparative study reveals, both texts offer humanist visions of relevance to education, politics, and society. Notably, however, the Kural takes what might be described as a more mainstream humanist stance vis-à-vis Freire’s radical humanist approach. Nevertheless, both educational philosophies share a common humanist bond representing important breakthroughs within their own given contexts. More specifically, the Kural supports a shift in consciousness and social practices away from caste rigidity, superstition, and pre-humanist beliefs while Freire championed transitioning from rigid, top-down and alienating educational delivery models and economic systems to learning processes and societies that are more democratized, dialogic and egalitarian.

Keywords

Education, humanism, India, Thiruvalluvar Kural, Paolo Freire

Discipline

Philosophy | South and Southeast Asian Languages and Societies

Research Areas

Humanities

Publication

Studies in Philosophy and Education

Volume

40

Issue

2

First Page

183

Last Page

200

ISSN

0039-3746

Identifier

10.1007/s11217-020-09750-9

Publisher

Springer

Copyright Owner and License

Authors

Additional URL

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11217-020-09750-9

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