The Third Edition of Philosophical Foundations of Adult Education presents seven theoretical approaches to adult education: liberal, progressive, behaviorist, humanist, radical/critical, analytic, and postmodern. The book gives the historical grounding as well as the basic principles for each approach. In this edition each chapter has been revised and brought up to date. The chapter on radical adult education incorporates recent developments in radical education,… More >>
Maybe it’s just me, but I struggle with some of the less direct philosophies. Elias and Merriam are concise, thoughtful and comprehensive in their review of the history, key concepts and trends in the philosophical foundations of adult education. This is a great book if you need a reference that provides great detail and is understandable.
Rating: 5 / 5
“This book brings to life issues concerned with the philosophy of adult educators and relationships betweeen education and society. Due to it primary North American focus, the book will find its major audience there, but will appeal also to readers everywhere with an interest in the historical development of adult education. The strength of the work lies in the way it casts U.S. adult education in new roles: the facts come together in new ways to create new gestalts…. It is difficult to be objective about a book that reflects so accurately and faithfully the wide range of options that educational thought presents to us. Therefore, we confess to an overriding desire to induce as many readers as possible to beg, buy or borrow PHILOSOPHICAL FOUNDATIONS OF ADULT EDUCATION–not just to add to your personal library so much as to enjoy a reactivated search for your personal truth under the capable ministrations of Elias and Merriam.” Dr. June Barth-Dow-Sheats and Dr. Paul H. Sheats, CONVERGENCE
Rating: 5 / 5
This book provides an excellent overview of the classic education philosphies in the context of adult education. It is very useful as a text book in graduate level courses, but would need to be supplimented with other resources providing information on emerging theories.
Rating: 4 / 5
A useful reference book for those who are trying to get some idea of the philosophical foundations of adult education. The emphasis on theories limits general philosophical enquiry so the book must be approached with this in mind.
Rating: 4 / 5
I purchased this book as a required text for a Master’s degree program. The authors have done an excellent job of distilling an incredible amount of valuable material into manageable-sized chapters with a unifying, yet not stultifying framework. The authors’ expertise in this field is readily apparent,and appreciated, yet they do not come across in the pompous style that tempts some experts.
Rating: 4 / 5