Aristotle on the Necessity of Public Education
By (author) Randall R. Curren
Publication date:
22 November 2000Length of book:
296 pagesPublisher
Rowman & Littlefield PublishersISBN-13: 9780847696727
The book concludes that Aristotle's views yield a compelling argument for the claim that public supervision of education is a necessary condition for a just society. It examines the implications and limitations of that argument, including particularly the form and substance of the educational equality which it demands. Contrasting it with other recent arguments for educational equality, I conclude that it provides the most decisive argument for educational equality available, but also that it does not establish a legitimate basis for a state monopoly on the provision of schooling, and for ensuring its availability to everyone. Some privatization schemes, but not others, would be compatible with this result.
Curren offers a powerful and well-written contribution not only to the study of ancient philosophy, but also to contemporary philosophy of education. This is a work that should be thought about as well as read by those interested in and concerned with questions of educational policy, the politics of education, the role of education in a democratic society, and the ethical role of the school. Highly recommended for upper-division undergraduates, gradute students, faculty, and professionals.