which philosopher was convinced that the purpose of education is to develop critical thinking?
which philosopher was convinced that the purpose of education is to develop critical thinking?
Answer:
The philosopher who was convinced that the purpose of education is to develop critical thinking is John Dewey. Dewey was an American philosopher, psychologist, and educational reformer who lived from 1859 to 1952. He believed that education should be less about rote memorization and more about nurturing students’ ability to think independently and make meaning from their experiences.
In his book “Democracy and Education”, Dewey argued that education should be geared towards the growth of students’ minds, rather than the accumulation of information. He believed that students should be taught how to think, rather than what to think. Dewey believed that the goal of education should be to help students become more autonomous and develop a sense of self-direction. He thought that critical thinking was a skill that could be taught and that it was crucial for a democratic society.
One of Dewey’s most famous theories is the idea of learning through experience. He believed that students should be actively engaged in the learning process, rather than passive recipients of information. Dewey argued that students should be given opportunities to learn through doing and that they should be encouraged to reflect on their experiences and make meaning from them.
In essence, Dewey believed that education should prepare students for active participation in a democratic society. He argued that a society in which its citizens possess strong critical thinking skills would be better equipped to identify and solve problems, as well as to make informed decisions.