This article arises from the thoughts of Hannah Arendt, and more especially from her idea that the essence of education is the renewal of the world. That idea forms the backdrop to a consideration of the current interest in education as the construction of one's own life. I argue that the will to construct one's own life is not a natural,…

Shows that speech is the primary means by which humans become linked to society and is thus a significant factor in the development of self-concept and decentration. (PD)

This paper addresses several issues concerning the nature of imitative acts and the conditions under which they take place. These issues include: (1) the separation of imitative acts from reinforced behavior; (2) the separation of true imitative acts from reflexive acts; (3) the separation of imitative acts from acts which normally have a high…

Children's natural endeavors that enable them to attain self-realization and fulfillment were given the name "self-activity" by the German philosopher Friedrich Froebel. Discussed are components traceable to the self-activity principle that appear in early childhood song materials published around the turn of the century. (RM)

Argues for a constructivist theoretical approach to the developmental study of the self, an approach which focuses on self-other differentiation and acquisition of categories of self. (SS)

Discusses the importance of a teacher understanding things from the children's point of view. Gives examples from 32 years of teaching. Argues that seeking to understand and acknowledge oneself is the best way to understand the child. (JOW)

The first of these two companion papers presents an account of Dewey's position on the nature of growth and its implications for curriculum development. The second paper provides a critique of Dewey's concept of growth and sketches what C. S. Peirce would have regarded as more viable alternatives. (Author/SJL)

Various education theories are examined to explain the child's need for a Mediated Learning Experience (MLE), an interaction with another human who interprets the world. Five criteria of MLEs are described, and types of deprivation and their results are discussed. (MJB)

Clarifies a reconceptualization of constructs of individualism, collectivism, independence, and interdependence which represents a departure from traditional conceptualization and a move away from understanding these constructs in dichotomous, stereotypical, and unidimensional terms. Discusses implications of this perspective for stereotyping…

Discusses the process by which individuals come to claim authority and assume responsibility for their moral thoughts, feelings, and actions. Examines links between narrative and moral experience. Suggests that the development of moral authority is enhanced when individuals make the words of others their own. (LB)

Asserts that dichotomous cultural templates such as independence and interdependence do not accurately reflect the complexity of social life and often result in stereotypic characterizations of social orientations of individuals and cultures. Discusses viewpoints that promote use of dichotomous labels, espouse dualities for some cultural aspects,…

Describes components of self-reliance and discusses three methods that can be used effectively to make children more self-reliant: behavioral patterning, expectation, and modeling. (HOD)

Characteristics of successful living arrangements in intentional communities are presented by examining kibbutz life. The first section discusses four bases for establishing and maintaining an intentional community: interest, justice, cultural flowering, and love (deep interpersonal and intergroup relationships and religious values). The second…