Educational theory is a crossroads or better still a marketplace with room for everyone. Here scholar, poet, and statesman take their stand; the philosopher and the theologian have long had theirs, while relative newcomers are the psychologist and sociologist. As long as they speak in harmony, fine. But when discord arises, and the humble teacher finds his work the focus of conflicting theories as to both the aims and methods of education whom should he listen to? Dr Barral is in (...) no doubt whatever. The philosophy of Plato, Socrates and Aristotle, with the theology of St. Augustine and Aquinas are her polar stars. At the same time she does occasionally concede a voice to others, but rather grudgingly. So little indeed that she may well win the argument while failing to win our sympathy. (shrink)

Richard Peters introduces this excellent book with the statement that ‘the theory of primary education is more studded with slogans arising from unexamined ideology than any other’, and deplores the lack of competent and comprehensive attempts to tackle these assumptions. He justly acclaims this work of Mr Dearden as a landmark in the history of educational theory, in that it fulfils this need.