In Part One of "Interpreting Kant in Education," a reading of Kant was gradually developed by drawing on interpretations of his key terms and insights from contemporary exegesis and work in the philosophy of mind. This reading is used in Part Two to challenge the widespread 'Kantian' picture in education and address familiar criticisms…

In this, the first chapter of "Interpreting Kant in Education," contrasting interpretations of some of Kant's central terms and insights are introduced. It is argued that some central assumptions about mind and world, rooted in traditional empiricist epistemology, have acted as obstacles in interpreting Kant. Discussion of John…

In previous chapters of "Interpreting Kant in Education," a particular set of assumptions about mind and world has been identified for their influence on the familiar 'Kantian' picture in education, a picture that receives widespread criticism. In this fourth chapter, various understandings of familiar concepts are again discussed for…

In the earlier chapters of "Interpreting Kant in Education," a reading of Kant was developed that contrasts sharply with the widespread 'Kantian' picture in education theory. Having discussed aspects of Kant's view in relation to empiricist and naturalist (mind-independent) epistemologies, I turn in this sixth chapter to contrast them…

In this final chapter of "Interpreting Kant in Education," I revisit and expand on some of the main differences in interpretation between the reading of Kant being presented and the familiar Kant found in education theory. It has been maintained that some deep-seated presuppositions from empiricist epistemology have influenced…

This article presents and combines theories and philosophies on the spiritual rebirthing and ascension process emanating from psychology, comparative mythology, and comparative religion. It addresses various states of the soul encountered on the mystical journey to Divine Union and the various ways God assists human beings in completing this…

Education as a deliberate activity and purposive process necessarily involves mediation, in the sense that the educator mediates between the child and the world. This can take different forms: the educator may function as a guide who initiates children into particular practices and domains and their modes of thinking and perceiving; or act as a…

Biesta distinguishes three functions of education: qualification, socialization and subjectification. We focus on subjectification. When first addressing this concept, Biesta referred to action as defined by Arendt, thereby stressing the importance of 'the question of freedom'. More recently, the question of freedom (Arendt) is replaced by 'the…

This paper argues that the idea of intrinsic worth encompasses all human beings, no matter how they are circumstanced. This concept needs to be understood transcendentally, not prescriptively. These terms are explained, with particular reference to Kant. It also argues that discourses of identity and recognition can best be understood through the…

This article proposes a 'pataphysical turn for arts-based research through the work of Alfred Jarry. Jarry outlined a unique research program that falls neatly neither into scientific inquiry nor artistic creation. Rather, this type of research can be defined in terms of three interconnected themes: (1) a postmetaphysical examination of the laws…

The philosophical branch of ethics is foundationally concerned with the question of right or wrong, benevolent or harmful, and ultimately what is proper conduct. The present inquiry addresses two related questions: (1) How have theories of ethics been applied to mathematics education research? and (2) What alternatives have not been considered?…

Based on the analysis of "Zhuangzi" (especially the inner chapters), this paper attempts to illustrate the positive aspects of Zhuangzi's idea concerning contented acceptance of fate ("anming" ??), which is completely different from a fatalistic viewpoint. Through probing into the meaning of some important ideas and their…

The bifurcation of nature, taken as a gap between the scientific conception and the subjective experience of the world, is according to Alfred North Whitehead, one of the major epistemic fallacies of modernity. This paper draws on insights from Whitehead's process philosophy to map some analytical trails that the author followed in her work on the…

David Jardine shares his reflections on pedagogy, conspiracy and bird watching. To him the purpose of bird watching is not about getting a longer and longer list of things that he can now ignore. Its purpose is to make almost unbearable the folding layers of sweet and inevitably fatal conspiracy. He shares his experiences of bird-watching with…

Michael Bonnett has long attempted to rehabilitate the concept of nature, thereby challenging us to reconsider its profound implications for diverse educational issues. Castigating both 'postmodern' and 'scientistic' accounts of nature for failing to appreciate that nature is at once transcendent and normative, Bonnett proposes his…