Paulo Freire's Dialectic of Spirituality and Activism

• In Event: 18.072 - Roundtable Session 6
  In Roundtable Session: 18.072-11 - Exploring Freire's Dimensions

Abstract

Paulo Freire is known worldwide as one of the most significant educational thinkers of the 20th century. What is less known, but equally important, is the impact Freire’s Christian faith had on his overall educational philosophy, vision, and action. Throughout his work he uses words like love, hope, and Easter, all of which carry religious or spiritual connotations. In no small measure, Freire’s spirituality was influential in the shaping of liberation theology, which has gained a vibrant renewal under the papacy of Pope Francis. To that end, this presentation aims to explore the connection between elements of Freire’s spirituality and liberatory praxis by looking at his understanding of spirituality, love, hope and the “Easter” experience relative to concrete action.

Authors

• James D. Kirylo, University of South Carolina

• Drick Boyd, Eastern University