Philosophy of Education and the Possibilities of a Bearable World

Document Type : پژوهشی

Author

Nuraan Davids

Professor of Philosophy of Education and the Chair of the Department of Education Policy Studies in the Faculty of Education, Stellenbosch University, Western Cape, South Africa

10.22067/fedu.2025.46535

Abstract

Very few parts of the world are safe from the harms of intolerance, othering, conflict and war. Even in relatively peaceful pockets of society, the potential for incitement and hatred simmers beneath the surfaces of daily lives. Human suffering and destruction have become normalised, if not in our immediate vicinities, then on our screens. For too many people and communities,  it is as if being human necessarily means living in a state of wretchedness. What might philosophy of education have to offer in addressing the perilous state of humanity? This essay singles out the predominance of fear as a key factor in the othering and dehumanisation of people. In response, I propose that fear can be unlearnt, allayed and disrupted if we question the ‘truths’ we know about others;  if educational sites embrace diversity by encouraging curiosity and dialogue; and by turning towards one another by recognising our fragile intimacy.

Keywords

philosophy of education

fear and othering

dialogue and diversity

humanization and hope

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مترجم: لیلا اقبالی، دانشجوی دکتری فلسفه تعلیم و تربیت دانشگاه فردوسی مشهد

Email: [e-mail]

http://orcid.org/0009-0005-2508-0291

 

References

Ward, M. (2024). We watched 20 Trump rallies. His racist, anti-immigrant messaging is getting darker. https://www.politico.com/news/2024/10/12/trump-racist-rhetoric-immigrants-00183537