The idea that professional practices such as education should be based upon or at least be informed by evidence continues to capture the imagination of many politicians, policy makers, practitioners and researchers. There is growing evidence of the influence of this line of thought. At the same time there is a growing body of work that has raised…

Provides some philosophical groundwork for contemporary debates about the idea of critical thinking. Discusses three styles of critique: critical dogmatism, transcendental critique (Karl-Otto Apel), and deconstruction (Jacques Derrida). Argues that while transcendental critique is able to solve some of the problems of the dogmatic approach to…

Assesses the influence of John Dewey's work on the renewal of European education in the 20th century using examples from the history of Dutch education. Concludes that Dewey's ideas and practices did not have lasting influence on the development of Dutch early childhood education and primary and secondary schools, mostly for reasons unrelated to…

Addresses how educational theory can overcome the assumptions of the tradition of the philosophy of consciousness. Several answers to the question of who comes "after" the subject are discussed. To move beyond the humanistic tradition of modern thought is to conceive of the subject in terms of responsibility, and the task of theory in terms of…