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Philosophy of Education

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Acclaimed as the "best overview in the field" by the Teaching Philosophy and predicted to "become the standard textbook in philosophy of education" by Educational Theory , this now-classic text includes an entirely new chapter on problems of school reform, examining issues of equality, accountability, standards, and testing.

270 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

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About the author

Nel Noddings

49 books47 followers
Nel Noddings is an American feminist, educationalist, and philosopher best known for her work in philosophy of education, educational theory, and ethics of care.

Noddings received a bachelors degree in mathematics and physical science from Montclair State College in New Jersey, a masters degree in mathematics from Rutgers University, and a Ph.D. in education from the Stanford University School of Education.

Nel Noddings worked in many areas of the education system. She spent seventeen years as an elementary and high school mathematics teacher and school administrator, before earning her PhD and beginning work as an academic in the fields of philosophy of education, theory of education and ethics, specifically moral education and ethics of care. She became a member of the Stanford faculty in 1977, and was the Jacks Professor of Child Education from 1992 until 1998. While at Stanford University she received awards for teaching excellence in 1981, 1982 and 1997, and was the associate dean or acting dean of the School of Education for four years. After leaving Stanford University, she held positions at Columbia University and Colgate University. She is past president of the Philosophy of Education Society and the John Dewey Society. In 2002-2003 she held the John W. Porter Chair in Urban Education at Eastern Michigan University. She has been Lee L. Jacks Professor of Education, Emerita, at Stanford University since she retired in 1998.

Nel Noddings has 10 children and in 2009 had been married for 60 years. She has described her early educational experiences and her close relationships as key in her development of her philosophical position.

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5 stars
76 (27%)
4 stars
93 (34%)
3 stars
63 (23%)
2 stars
32 (11%)
1 star
9 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
Profile Image for Q Crain.
14 reviews2 followers
June 15, 2015
This book does two things superbly:

1. Offers a theory of education which has a real chance of resulting in the type of person we all want as fellow citizens and friends; AND

2. Gives a summary of various Philosopies such as: Pragmatism, Utilitarianism, Existenialism, Epistemology, and topics such as: Morality, Science, Testing, and Feminism, as they relate in and to Education.

Because Noddings is not a "philosopher", she is easy to read. This makes this book an accessible way into these ideas. Acedemia is far too abstruse, thus cutting it off from making real impact outside its rarified environment; and Noddings in general is a welcome corrective.

I feel this is a must read.
Profile Image for Jeff.
544 reviews
December 1, 2010
This overview of the philosophy of education is a good survey of thinking on education through the ages. Noddings comes to the subject with a strong commitment to dialogue between competing view points, and thus presents a wide variety of perspectives on concepts as diverse as logic, epistemology, ethics, equity, and accountability.

However, her own strong conviction for an ethic of care overshadows the presentation of competing perspectives. Noddings argues that unbiased reporting is impossible, and thus is open about her own agenda. I appreciate her openness, but I was left feeling like some points from people that would disagree with her are watered down and simplified. It helps that I generally agree with everything that she has to say. Specifically, I appreciate how she highlights the importance of relationships in any learning interaction. However, I disagree with her thinking about learning standards, and am curious about a more expansive exploration of the contrasting points of view which get short shrift here.
Profile Image for Paul.
74 reviews5 followers
May 11, 2014
I am not sure I would understand the educational philosophy of Dewey without this book. I certainly would struggle with phenomenology. Noddings addresses all of the great questions of education in this book. What is learning? What is teaching? What is truth? What is the purpose of education? Is there only one purpose? How much education for who?

She also includes a greatest hits of the top educational philosophers, with Dewey getting the most "air time." I highly recommend this book to anyone with a philosophical bend of mind.
Profile Image for Phillip Nash.
132 reviews2 followers
April 16, 2021
Really enjoyed Nel Noddings’ book. Although possibly misnamed as it was not so much an outline of a philosophy of education as a wide-ranging exploration of philosophies and their influence and impact on education.
She ignored most Christian perspectives skipping over early and medieval Europe and when a Christian perspective was mentioned, it was not particularly detailed . However, she had a very balanced approach to each summary of every branch and period of philosophy she dealt with.
As a feminist and a leader in the care-ethics approach, she maintained her balance and had much good to say. A book worth reading as it gives much cause for reflection on one’s own philosophical leanings.
Profile Image for Ietrio.
6,704 reviews25 followers
February 17, 2020
Yet another failed mind produced by the diploma mills. For Noddings searching for a better education was never the issue. The issue is exhibiting erudition, knowing how to classify philosopher X and all the Facebook status worthy quotes. A pointless, scholastic text, helpful for other failed minds climbing the academic ladder.
1 review
July 18, 2020
My teacher in the university of Bath recommended it to me and I really like it. Nel explains the obscure terms in a very understanding way and you will never feel boring to read it.

I really want to own a real version of it and make it as a collection.
Profile Image for Julia Jaakkola.
5 reviews1 follower
July 18, 2022
A comprehensive review of the philosophies that have affected education.

From the Finnish perspective I don’t think the chapters on equality in education were convincing. I don’t think the writer addressed enough on the inequalities of american school system.
3 reviews1 follower
November 3, 2019
A beautiful collection of the prominent theories in educational sciences but without any real details. Right choice for those who want to familiarize themselves with the philosophy of education.
Profile Image for Noel.
3 reviews
December 6, 2019
Good overview of contemporary issues in Philosophy of Education
Profile Image for Tim.
237 reviews1 follower
March 18, 2022
You just need the last chapter, whole lotta god talk in it.
Profile Image for Stephen Ziegler.
14 reviews
July 2, 2023
I'm a big fan of Nel Noddings' work. She is typically so far ahead of her time it must have been quite frustrating sharing her insights with stubborn academic authorities.
Profile Image for Christopher Covey.
10 reviews1 follower
March 21, 2017
Great Summary of Philosophical Issues and their Relation to Education

For in service teachers, an excellent and thoughtful book on Western philosophical and how they relate to the contemporary practices in the field of education today.
Profile Image for Billie Pritchett.
1,100 reviews101 followers
June 29, 2016
The first part of Nel Nodding's Philosophy of Education is pretty good. in the first part she sets up the different views on philosophy of education, sweeping through ancient to contemporary philosophy in two chapters. She has a fair chapter on Critical Thinking and its role in educational theory. After that, the book drags quite a bit. The book appears to be more interested in tangent topics rather than the topic of philosophy of education. To take an example, in a chapter regarding morality and education, the writing gets mired in some of the particularities of Aristotle's ethics instead of pointing up just how relevant (or irrelevant, if such is the case) his ethics is to educational theory and of what use we can make of. Wish there were a better book out there on philosophy of education, but at least good for its early portions and also for its recommended readings.
Profile Image for Lisa.
145 reviews5 followers
November 22, 2014
This book attempted an overview of educational philosophy but was a bit too advanced for me. While I appreciated the examples and clarifications, I was still often lost in the language and the author's opinions too often clouded the explanations as I neared the end of the text. I believe if I read it again after a few more years of study it would be quite useful.
4 reviews9 followers
February 25, 2013
Philosophy of Education by Nel Noddings had some good, valid points about education. However, there were also a few chapters that delved a little too deeply into what "truth" is and how to be "logical."
Profile Image for Efe Misirli.
14 reviews2 followers
February 1, 2016
Excellent, comprehensive and surprisingly readable account of Philosophy of Education. Exceed my expectations.
Profile Image for Bear.
215 reviews7 followers
January 29, 2016
A good read and a solid introduction to educational philosophy. Has a bit of jargon at times though, and could use more descriptive examples to make the material more memorable.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews

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