Spiritually Engaged Progressivism, Socially Engaged Buddhism: Education for Democracy, Depth, Meaning, and Efficacy in a Neoliberal Age

• In Event: Roundtable Session 44
  In Roundtable Session: Spirituality and Education SIG Roundtables

Abstract

This paper is inspired by philosophically grounded approaches to public education reform emerging in response to significant social and environmental crises in the U.S. and throughout Asia. Sustained exposure to rising materialism and consumerism, social and economic inequality, authoritarianism, violence, religious/racial/ethnic intolerance and environmental degradation limits expression of human intelligence and integrity. Philosophical exploration, pedagogical innovation, and public dialogue are necessary to re-orient prevailing educational assumptions, goals and processes in response. To this end, comparative analysis of original works and contemporary interpretations crossing relevant streams of Progressive and Buddhist thought is used to explore pedagogical dimensions of the question: How might public education be re-envisioned to advance wise, democratic, compassionate and effective response to the challenges of neoliberal globalization?

Author

• Ruthanne Kurth-Schai, Macalester College