Exploring the ethics of agency through the lens of Bildung. Issue 3 (2nd October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wills, Ruth
• Is Part Of: International journal of children's spirituality. Volume 22:Issue 3/4(2017)
• Page Start: 317
• Page End: 328
• Publication Date: 2017-10-02
• Subjects: Agency -- ethics -- education -- Bildung -- Repetition; Moral education -- Periodicals; Religious education -- Periodicals; Spirituality -- Periodicals; Children -- Religious life -- Periodicals; 155.25
• DOI: 10.1080/1364436X.2017.1377689
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1364-436X

Abstract

Abstract: Experiencing something of a renaissance, the German pedagogical idea 'Bildung' has recently been reconsidered for contemporary education. Historically proposed by von Humboldt, Bildung's interplay represents a relational movement between a learner and the world that aims for personal freedom and growth. It is also identified as a means by which learners might become aware of their personal capacity to develop responses to daily experiences. Thus, it attends to agency and has resonance with children's spirituality. Whilst such a notion of learning might be promoted as an alternative to a functionalistic educational paradigm, this paper highlights ethical concerns regarding pedagogical freedom. It highlights philosophically the illusion of freedom and considers critically the place of power in learner-led methods. Finally, the paper proposes how a nuanced, Kierkegaardian application of Bildung might address the ethical concerns raised and proposes how a re-considered understanding of the notion might be valuable for education today.