This classic essay by Eduard Spranger (1882-1963) is here published for the first time in English, in a translation by Stephanie Wilde. In this contribution Spranger discusses and advocates the need for a vocational school that addresses the civic and individual needs of students as well as the vocational requirements of the nation. He emphasises…

As neo-Aristotelian character education approaches have become more popular, the list of objections has increased too. This paper focuses on the objection that while character education proponents claim to be 'progressive' and 'reformative' they seem to maintain the educational status quo. This paper examines what happens to neo-Aristotelian…

This paper investigates the impact of mostly implicit convictions about 'white supremacy' and racist ideas in traditional and recent theories of "Bildung" which is a central educational concept in Germany. Concepts of "Bildung" describe processes of individual self-formation. It will be argued that the notion of…

The article focuses on the notion and humanistic ideal of self-cultivation and self-transformation, for which the term "Bildung" is/was traditionally used in German educational thought. It is argued that the idea of "Bildung", understood as human development and end-in-itself, is not a German exclusivity. However, to understand…

It is surprising that there is a young academic in 2015 working intensively on the German philosopher and linguist Wilhelm von Humboldt (1767-1835) and his concept of "Bildung". In times where--as the author states herself--educational systems globally tend to follow neoliberal principles and where the visibility, commodification, and…

This article argues that Deleuze and Deleuze and Guattari's later works can be read as a theory of "Bildung" with Deleuze's three pedagogies as important "knots." "Bildung" happens in refrains. The article finally sketches the outline of an imaginary school based on Deleuzian philosophy. The discussions with local…

In spite of its numerous critics the concept "Bildung" is still one of the most important categories within the German speaking discussion on questions of education, learning and teaching. Apart from multiple differences there is a relatively great agreement in considering this concept as an irreplaceable category for educational…

Presents a biographical profile of Heinrich Roth, a psychologist and educator who had served in the Wehrmacht's political warfare division. Roth later experienced a spiritual and professional rebirth becoming completely immersed in U.S. educational theory. He devoted the rest of his life to developing a democratically-oriented theory of learning…