Freire and Education

Paulo Friere is considered to be one of the most influential educational philosophers of the twentieth century. Within many progressive circles, he would be considered the most important radical educational philosopher of our times, given his contribution to a revolutionary understanding of education and his certainty and faith that education can function as one of the most significant empowering and democratizing forces in the lives of the disenfranchised. In this deeply personal introduction to the man,and his ideas and their contribution to ideas of progressive schooling, Antonia Darder reflects on her personal memories of time spent with Freire and his influence on her own work. An introductory chapter provides an overview of Freire's early work, with a particular focus on his now canonical text, Pedagogy of the Oppressed. Darder contextualizes Freire's early work within the revolutionary struggles and issues that were being raised in the United States and other parts of the world, but also delves into the often-overlooked influence of his Catholiscm on his work.
Three additional chapters introduce readers to Freire's unique notion and practice of literacy, as well as the influence of Marxist theorists and their impact on how he helped make meaning of the poverty and suffering he encountered as an educator. Through the philosophical concepts, Darder brings the volume to a powerful close with a message about the on-going significance of Freire's work in education and some of the ways that his work is being extended and reinvented within the U.S. and around the globe.

One of the most influential educational philosophers of our times, Paulo Freire contributed to a revolutionary understanding of education as an empowering and democratizing force in the lives of the disenfranchised. In this deeply personal introduction to the man and his ideas, Antonia Darder reflects on how Freire’s work has illuminated her own life practices and thinking as an educator and activist. Including both personal memories and a never-before published, powerful dialogue with Freire himself, Darder offers a unique "analysis of solidarity," in mind and spirit. A heartfelt look at the ways Freire can still inspire a critically intellectual and socially democratic life, this book is certain to open up his theories in entirely new ways, both to those already familiar with his work and those coming to him for the first time.

Series Editor Introduction Author’s Preface Acknowledgments Chapter 1 Liberation: Our Historical Task Chapter 2 Pedagogy of Love: Embodying Our Humanity Chapter 3 Conscientizaçao: Awakening Critical Consciousness Chapter 4 Problematizing Diversity: A Dialogue with Paulo Freire Epilogue Our Struggle Continues Bibliography Index

Antonia Darder is Professor Emerita of Educational Policy, Organization, and Leadership at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and holds the Leavey Presidential Endowed Chair in Ethics and Moral Leadership in the School of Education at Loyola Marymount University.