A personal book that presents its mode of argument as a “memo from author to friend!” Much has happened in the modern world since this book was first published, but Existentialism still survives and flourishes as a viable philosophy of life and education. Its message is still as fresh and straightforward and commanding as it was in the past: (1) The American ethic has always been grounded in self-determination and self-affirmation. This book shows how this eth… More >>
#1 by Anonymous on July 2, 2010 - 4:38 pm
This short book is a lucid explanation of what existentialism is and how Existentialism As A Philosophy has four chapters clearly explaining the chapters showing what learning would be like for students who had a teacher using an existentialist educational philosophy. Any teacher-probably grades 5 through college-either using or planning to use a participatory classroom, will find reading this book a useful, exhilarating experience. I know I did. I read it in fall 1969 and found that it helped shape my final 19 years teaching during my 33-year career teaching high school American Studies (American literature and American history). If I ever meet the author, I’ll give him a huge hug and a sincere “Thank you!”
Rating: 4 / 5
#2 by JH Factor on July 2, 2010 - 6:56 pm
the book does a good job of outlining what existentialism is a as a philosophy, however, i do not think that it is able to connect the ideas to education in a meaningful way. i think that this topic has a lot of room for growth and imo should be the foundation of education. for people interested in the topic, you can just read any books about existentialism to understand it, and should look into books about different types of alternative education-which is where you’d be most likely to find similar ideas that are actually being put to practice.
Rating: 3 / 5