An integrated perspective of humanism and supernaturalism for education: C. S. Lewis’s version of education

This paper explores some theoretical reflections on the connection between C. S. Lewis’s thoughts on the purpose and process of education and his understanding of supernatural human nature which has been relatively little explored. An introduction about Lewis’s career as a college teacher blends int...

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Main Author: Lee, Seung Chun
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2013
Subjects:
Online Access:https://repo.uum.edu.my/id/eprint/20717/9/interchange43.pdf
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author Lee, Seung Chun
author_facet Lee, Seung Chun
author_sort Lee, Seung Chun
collection UUM
description This paper explores some theoretical reflections on the connection between C. S. Lewis’s thoughts on the purpose and process of education and his understanding of supernatural human nature which has been relatively little explored. An introduction about Lewis’s career as a college teacher blends into the background of this paper. It is followed by Lewis’ argument on the purpose of education which is: To produce a ‘‘good man’’ (‘‘human’’) who pursues knowledge for the sake of learning and makes the right emotional and behavioural responses, affirming truly objective and universal values (Tao). Intertwined with this argument is the dual reality of the human condition straddling this world and the other one with the latter taking precedence over the former. In order to produce educated men and women, Lewis argues for making the most of literary experiences and liberal studies as a main avenue toward the transformation of the inner self of each student. These literary experiences need to be combined with a healthy dose of the right action and behaviour because deliberate action with a purpose can create a reality in our character through the process of gaining momentum as a real interest or attitude in that direction takes hold. Lastly, some of the implications of these reflections for those who work with the young in schools and in liberal education are drawn out.
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spelling uum-207172017-01-22T04:30:47Z https://repo.uum.edu.my/id/eprint/20717/ An integrated perspective of humanism and supernaturalism for education: C. S. Lewis’s version of education Lee, Seung Chun B Philosophy (General) LB Theory and practice of education This paper explores some theoretical reflections on the connection between C. S. Lewis’s thoughts on the purpose and process of education and his understanding of supernatural human nature which has been relatively little explored. An introduction about Lewis’s career as a college teacher blends into the background of this paper. It is followed by Lewis’ argument on the purpose of education which is: To produce a ‘‘good man’’ (‘‘human’’) who pursues knowledge for the sake of learning and makes the right emotional and behavioural responses, affirming truly objective and universal values (Tao). Intertwined with this argument is the dual reality of the human condition straddling this world and the other one with the latter taking precedence over the former. In order to produce educated men and women, Lewis argues for making the most of literary experiences and liberal studies as a main avenue toward the transformation of the inner self of each student. These literary experiences need to be combined with a healthy dose of the right action and behaviour because deliberate action with a purpose can create a reality in our character through the process of gaining momentum as a real interest or attitude in that direction takes hold. Lastly, some of the implications of these reflections for those who work with the young in schools and in liberal education are drawn out. Springer 2013 Article PeerReviewed application/pdf en https://repo.uum.edu.my/id/eprint/20717/9/interchange43.pdf Lee, Seung Chun (2013) An integrated perspective of humanism and supernaturalism for education: C. S. Lewis’s version of education. Interchange, 43 (2). pp. 95-111. ISSN 0826-4805 http://www.springer.com/education+%26+language/journal/10780
spellingShingle B Philosophy (General)
LB Theory and practice of education
Lee, Seung Chun
An integrated perspective of humanism and supernaturalism for education: C. S. Lewis’s version of education
title An integrated perspective of humanism and supernaturalism for education: C. S. Lewis’s version of education
title_full An integrated perspective of humanism and supernaturalism for education: C. S. Lewis’s version of education
title_fullStr An integrated perspective of humanism and supernaturalism for education: C. S. Lewis’s version of education
title_full_unstemmed An integrated perspective of humanism and supernaturalism for education: C. S. Lewis’s version of education
title_short An integrated perspective of humanism and supernaturalism for education: C. S. Lewis’s version of education
title_sort integrated perspective of humanism and supernaturalism for education c s lewis s version of education
topic B Philosophy (General)
LB Theory and practice of education
url https://repo.uum.edu.my/id/eprint/20717/9/interchange43.pdf
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