Human Revolution for Absolute Happiness: Four Transformational Keys to Cultivating Early Childhood Educator Dispositions

• In Event: Philosophy and Emotion in/of Educators

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the concept of human revolution as a means for engaging in transformational adult learning to cultivate the dispositions in early childhood educators that will reverse the trend of excluding young children from their first learning environment, and instead aim towards fostering happy and contributive human beings. This theoretical inquiry, conducted through critical analysis of Josei Toda’s writings on Nichiren Buddhism, illustrates four key points: 1) the significance of absolute happiness, 2) the importance of taking action to establish an unwavering life state amidst daily struggles, 3) prioritizing an inner transformation to become happy over externally dictated moral and religious behavior, and 4) aiming to positively contribute to the collective happiness of society. These key points inform how educator preparation can support educators to foster the dispositions needed by those who work with children in the earliest years of life.

Author

• Stefanie Horton, DePaul University