Liberal v. Problem-Posing Methods of Education

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Education

Paulo Freire and John Henry Newman both present two different styles of education. Freire proposes the implementation of the problem-posing style. Problem posing promotes the teacher-student relationship being a cooperative relationship. Newman proposes and defends the methods of liberal education. Liberal education seeks to improve the mind and seek truth and knowledge for its own sake. Both styles favor freedom over order and thus both liberation education and liberal education were met with resistance when they were introduced. Newman was challenged by those who favor professional education. Newman wrote essays and showed how Oxford University could prepare students for both the workplace and society. Freire was challenged by the Brazilian government and showed that revolution is necessary for the advancement of the impoverished. Both concepts of education are different in some ways and very similar in many others.

John Henry Newman was a 19th century English theologian who was a part of the Oxford Movement and supports the concept of Liberal Education. Liberal Education is the active search for truth and knowledge by students. Newman defends his stance on liberal education by first defending the search for truth and cultivation of intellect. Newman argues that the cultivation of the intellect is an end that should be pursued for its own sake. To discover the meaning of truth is the task of intellect. Newman writes, "Truth of whatever kind is the proper object of the intellect; its cultivation then lies in fitting it to apprehend and contemplate truth" (Newman 168). Newman argues that in order to gain knowledge one must train his intellect for its own sake. He compares that being a student should be like a pro...

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...and Problem-Posing are two different concepts of education. Both concepts are designed to help the student and promote the acquisition of knowledge. However, both concepts are different from one another. Liberal education seeks to help one gain and appreciate knowledge for its own sake. Problem-posing education seeks to change society and how students are taught; they are expected to learn with the teacher. Freire and Newman have both developed theories that help students learn.

Works Cited:

Newman, John Henry. "Knowledge Viewed In Relation To Professional Skill." Schmersahl and

Sollenberger 168-188.

Freire, Paulo. "The Banking Concept of Education." Schmersahl and Sollenberger 66-80.

Schmersahl, Carmen B. and Michael Sollenberger, eds. Choices. 7th ed. Acton, MA:

Copley, 2002.

Sampson, Md. Davis, et al. The Pact. New York: Riverhead,2002

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