John Baldacchino Knihy

Focusing on the interplay between the self and the imaginary, this book explores Maxine Greene's philosophy, emphasizing the transformative power of imagination in learning. It highlights how Greene encourages individuals to embrace their potential as learners, offering a hopeful perspective that transcends the limitations imposed by traditional educational systems. Through this lens, readers are invited to discover new possibilities for personal growth and understanding in the realm of education.

Focusing on John Dewey's exploration of human potential, the book delves into his philosophical influences, including Hegel, Emerson, and Darwin, alongside his personal experiences, especially with his wife, Alice. It examines Dewey's perspectives on education and politics amid contemporary societal challenges related to class, race, gender, and sexuality. The text engages with Dewey's ideas on aesthetics, ethics, and community, proposing a dialogue that encourages unlearning and deschooling through arts education. Ultimately, it seeks to redefine education as both free and rigorous in today's context.

Exploring realism within a Post-Marxist framework, this work emphasizes the dual approach of using deconstruction to critique contemporary political philosophy and aesthetics while reclaiming realism to transcend Post-Modernism. It revisits the aesthetic inquiries of Lucacs and Adorno, addressing key themes such as totality, method, and the dialectics of identity. The book engages with significant concepts from the Enlightenment and the implications of Modernity's conclusion, offering a nuanced perspective on the evolution of these philosophical debates.

The book presents a compelling argument that art can serve as a means of unlearning, proposing a unique pedagogical approach. It explores how engaging with visual, auditory, and performative arts fosters a process of forgetfulness, allowing individuals to break away from conventional understandings and embrace new perspectives. Through this lens, the author highlights the transformative power of art in education and personal growth.

Focusing on the intersection of art and modernity, this book explores how avant-garde aesthetics shape our understanding of artistic duration and contingency. It delves into the historical context of the 20th century, examining how these artistic movements have constructed and influenced contemporary definitions of modernity. Through its analysis, it highlights the evolving relationship between art and societal changes.

More than a book about Illich, this is a conversation with Illich's work as we enter the third decade of the 21st century, just under twenty years after his passing, and almost fifty years since his Deschooling Society was first published.