Philosophers of Education as Public Intellectuals Engaged in Political Issues

The field of philosophy of education is diverse and evolving. I focus here on one particular way in which some philosophers of education have been doing philosophy of education—by working as public intellectuals addressing political issues, especially in contexts related to school practice and policy. I showcase how they do this work and what benefits it offers to the public, to the scholars themselves, and to the field of philosophy of education. Some key contributions of these scholars include clarifying explicit and underlying values, aims, and political ideologies at play in educational situations, engaging the public in inquiries into them, and facilitating efforts to address related problems. Scholars of this sort also guide the public through dissent against problematic policies and practices while imagining alternatives. They build hope by collaborating with the public on solutions. Throughout the article, I raise questions regarding approaching philosophy of education in this way, pointing toward tensions that may need to be addressed or resolved as the field moves forward.