An integrated perspective of humanism and supernaturalism for education: C. S. Lewis’s version of education
This paper explores some theoretical reflections on the connection between C. S. Lewis’s thoughts on the purpose and process of education and his understanding of supernatural human nature which has been relatively little explored. An introduction about Lewis’s career as a college teacher blends int...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Springer
2013
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://repo.uum.edu.my/20717/9/interchange43.pdf http://repo.uum.edu.my/20717/ http://www.springer.com/education+%26+language/journal/10780 |
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| Summary: | This paper explores some theoretical reflections on the connection between C. S. Lewis’s thoughts on the purpose and process of education and his understanding of supernatural human nature which has been relatively little explored. An introduction about Lewis’s career as a college teacher blends into the background of this paper. It is followed by Lewis’ argument on the purpose of education which is: To produce a ‘‘good man’’ (‘‘human’’) who pursues knowledge
for the sake of learning and makes the right emotional and behavioural responses,
affirming truly objective and universal values (Tao). Intertwined with this argument
is the dual reality of the human condition straddling this world and the other one
with the latter taking precedence over the former. In order to produce educated men
and women, Lewis argues for making the most of literary experiences and liberal
studies as a main avenue toward the transformation of the inner self of each student. These literary experiences need to be combined with a healthy dose of the right
action and behaviour because deliberate action with a purpose can create a reality in
our character through the process of gaining momentum as a real interest or attitude
in that direction takes hold. Lastly, some of the implications of these reflections for
those who work with the young in schools and in liberal education are drawn out. |
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