While I was researching for our chapter section last week (and getting very frustrated), I accessed a graduate student's paper on essentialism. A statement that she quoted from Philosophical Foundations of Education (1992) really caught my attention - "philosophy does not appeal to some people because it provides no clear-cut answers to pressing problems." No wonder I was having so much difficulty with our section on essentialism vs. humanism. I thought it was just because it has been a really, really long time since I've studied philosophy. After reading that quote I thought "that's me" - I like clear-cut answers and avoid disagreement. At least the quote made me feel better about not relating to essentialism.
Ersek, V. (2008). Essentialism. Retrieved January 20, 2009, from http://pangea.tec.selu.edu/~versek/Essentialism Paper.pdf
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You made me reflect on a philosophy of art class I took in my undergraduate class. There was a lot of discussion, ideas, and interpretation. Your opinion can changed based of someone else's interpretation of the material presented. But I guess, when I think about it, education is not cut and dry either. Sometimes when one of my kids has an issue I have to deal with, I wish that there was some sort of "rule book" to give me a definitive answer. But no-have not found it yet. I have to think of the kid as an individual, think of the issue, then try to do what is best. I agree it is frustrating. I don't know anything about essentialism so I look forward to reading your chapter.
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