ISBN-13: 978-190596507
Publisher: Ovada Books, 2009
The crisis in adherence to Christian values has brought about a climate of philosophical confusion inimical to the objectives and transmission of true education.
In this age of uncertainty there is a widespread and firm belief that education is a ‘good thing’, which will bring about, as it were automatically, an harmonious and prosperous society.
In formal educational systems there is a ‘belief in something’ that underpins and sustains the system. It may be a religion, a philosophical principle or an ideology. Whatever it is, for the system to function, its teachers must be committed to it.
This work asks: can Faith in Education fill the philosophical and spiritual vacuum?
Review
‘In his exploration of the interplay between faith and religion FitzPatrick asks some important questions. Why, in the modern era, is the idea of education almost unanimously considered a ‘good thing’, a cure-all in an age that denies the possibility of moral absolutes?
The ‘philosophical outlook’ behind education past and present is revealed, as the ideologies underpinning educational structures is examined. Ranging in his explanations from chaos theory to the anthropic principle, FitzPatrick’s thesis is informed by a clearly explained overview of scientific and philosophical principles.
The issue at the heart of this book is whether or not education can function without some form of moral code, with revealing insights into the importance of continuing the tradition of faith’s involvement in education.’
 | Thomas FitzpatrickThomas A. FitzPatrick was born on 19th July 1916 in the High Street of Glasgow and was educated at St. Mungo’s Academy. He went on to study Mathematics and Natural Philosophy at Glasgow University, trained for teaching at Jordanhill College and served as an RAF Meteorological Officer from 1940 to 1946. After two post-war decades teaching, he became Lecturer in Geography at Notre Dame College of Education, Adviser to Men Students and Organiser of In-Service Training then retired as Vice-Principle in 1980. In 1983 he was awarded a Doctorate of Philosophy for his study of Catholic Secondary Education in South West Scotland. Presently, Thomas writes a blog ‘veteraetcetera’ which reflects on current events and their connections to wider philosophical concepts/issues. He is concerned with Existentialism and ‘A New Humanism’ and is writing a commentary on the text ‘Humanisme Integral’ by Jacques Maritain. He has written book reviews for the journals ‘Open House’ and ‘The Innes Review’, titles of which include ‘Much ado about Nothing’ – on Polkinghorne, ‘Darwin’s Angels’ – on J. Cornwell and ‘Culture and the Death of God’ – on Terry Eagleton. |