Paideia Proposal

Mortimer J. Adler

• Publisher: Touchstone
• Year: 1998
• Print ISBN: 9780684841885
• eBook ISBN: 9781439104903
• Topic: Education
• Subtopic: Education Curricula

The Paideia Proposal is a system of liberal education intended for all children. It was a response to what Adler characterized as the United States' antidemocratic or undemocratic educational system, a holdover from the 19th century, when the understanding of basic human rights fell short of 20th century expectations.The Paidea Proposal was based upon the following assumptions: 1) All children are educable; 2) Education is never completed in school or higher institutions of learning, but is a lifelong process of maturity for all citizens; 3) The primary cause of learning is the activity of the child's mind, which is not created by, but only assisted by the teacher; 4) Multiple types learning and teaching must be utilized in education, not just teacher lecturing, or telling; and 5) A student's preparation for earning a living is not the primary objective of schooling.Adler stressed that the proposal is much more than just a return to the basic skills of reading, writing and arithmetic. It is not simply a return to the values of classical civilization, but a return to what is of enduring value. It is a democratic proposal intended for the education of all, and not an elitist program as some have alleged.

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Title Page
• Contents
• To Our Readers
• PART ONE The Schooling of a People
• PART TWO The Essentials of Basic Schooling
• PART THREE Teaching and Learning
• PART FOUR Beyond Basic Schooling
• To School Boards and School Administrators
• Epilogue by a School Administrator