Conscientization and the Cultivation of Conscience

Conscientization and the Cultivation of Conscience constitutes a major contribution to the international literature on the work of Paulo Freire, one of the most influential educationalists of all time. It provides a fresh perspective on the Freirean notion of conscientization, rethinking this pivotal concept in the light of the history of ideas on conscience. The author offers a holistic, philosophical reading of Freires texts and argues for the cultivation of conscience through love and dialogue. Such a reading, he suggests, allows us to better respond to the moral crises that face us in the age of global capitalism. The ideas advanced in this book have important implications for philosophical and cultural understanding and for educational theory and practice.

Contents: Paulo Freire: Life, Work, and Theory – The Key Elements of Conscientization – Conscience and its Relationship With Consciousness – The Dynamism of the Work of Conscience – The Cultivation of Conscience – The Integration of the Cultivation of Conscience into Conscientization – Conscientization: Educational Necessity and Cultural Significance – The Pedagogical Possibilities of Conscientization.