Methods of an Enchanted Educator: A Weberian Response to Reenchanting Education

• In Event: 46.066 - Philosophical Perspectives on Teaching

Abstract

Sociologist Jal Mehta has recently observed that educational reform in the United States resembles “pure Weberian rationalization” in that it often “emphasizes the measurable to the exclusion of the meaningful” (2013, p. 6). It is common practice for philosophers of education to protest this state of affairs, but to what extent is its reversal a worthy end? Put otherwise, and adopting another Weberian term, to what extent is the re-enchantment of education desirable? I address this question within the context of Weber’s theoretical writings and recent philosophical re-enchantment proposals. I argue that Weber’s work provides a desirable pedagogical response to the question of re-enchanting education.

Author

• John Peter Fantuzzo, Teachers College, Columbia University