Rethinking Education: A Paradigm for Education for Sustainability

• Main Author: Wilkins, Lynn D.
• Other Authors: Portelli, John P.
• Language: en_ca
• Published: 2011
• Subjects: Education; Education for Sustainable Development; Sustainability; Education for Sustainability; Sustainable Education; Paulo Freire; 0998; 0350
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1807/30111

In this thesis I will argue that the current predicament we find ourselves in of unsustainable practices can only be addressed through a fundamental shift in the way we view the world and ourselves in it. It is my contention that our most immediate path to achieving this shift is through education. In this thesis I investigate the philosophical basis and justification for education as the impetus for change that will lead to sustainable societies. This inquiry will rethink Freire’s work within our current socio-historical context. Limitations and critiques of Freire’s work will be examined in order to investigate the ability of his work to form the foundation of a paradigm shift towards education that promotes sustainability. The work of C.A. Bowers is used as the basis to interrogate Freire’s work and to re-think some areas to overcome limitations of Freire’s work in his application to Education for Sustainability.