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Montessori, Dewey, and Capitalism: Educational Theory for a Free Market in Education
Synthesizing ideas from such disparate thinkers as educator Maria Montessori, philosophers John Dewey and Ayn Rand, and Austrian economist Ludwig von Mises, Montessori, Dewey, and Capitalism presents a philosophy of education--the theory of concentrated attention and independent judgment--that requires laissez-faire capitalism for its full realization. It is not an argument, except indirectly, for the separation of education and state nor is it a critique of present and past state-run schooling. It is an argument for the abolition of coercion in all areas of life. What is the ideal education system? asks the author. One that rejects the premise of obedience to authority. Not just in teaching, but also in parenting and in all social relations. Just as an ideal social system would allow citizens to pursue their values without interruption or control from an outside authority, namely the state, so also the ideal education system should allow children and students to concentrate without interruption on the learning tasks that interest them. The adult guides and nurtures the young, neither coercing nor neglecting them, to develop the confidence and independence required for an adult life in a capitalist society.
212 pages, Paperback
Published February 1, 2008
About the author
Jerry Kirkpatrick
5 books16 followersJerry Kirkpatrick is professor emeritus of international business and marketing at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona), and is author of In Defense of Advertising: Arguments from Reason, Ethical Egoism, and Laissez-Faire Capitalism and Montessori, Dewey, and Capitalism: Educational Theory for a Free Market in Education. Inspired in high school to think about fundamental ideas, Kirkpatrick majored in philosophy as an undergraduate before pursuing his advanced degrees. He now writes a monthly blog at jerrykirkpatrick.blogspot.com, discussing, among other topics, his special interests in epistemology and psychology.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 6, 2019
“Independent Judgment and Introspection: Fundamental Requirements of the Free Society,” by author Jerry Kirkpatrick is a read that will have you re-thinking your past thoughts on independent judgment, how it impacts you and those around you, and living in a society that does not accept independent thinking and actions.
Kirkpatrick states “The aim of this book is to explore the nature of independent judgment and its relationship to the free society. Throughout the journey, we will find that psychology, especially the skill of introspection, plays a significant role in developing and maintaining independence in the individual and in generating the desire to live in a free society.”
Independent judgment is the ability and freedom to express one’s mind without the fear of what others will think of us, which might include disapproval, rejection and self-doubt. We all would like to think that we have the ability to say what we think without all the dreaded drama that comes with it, but sadly very few of us do. Choice and self-assertion are seen as a disruption of authority and disobedience. In reality, they are signs of developing self-esteem and personal identity.
Can independent judgment be taught? Yes, but it must start at an early age. Children, of course, need to be given love and support, but they also need to be given freedom, within limits appropriate to their maturity, to choose their own values. And they need to be allowed to learn from their mistakes.
The author discusses many theories and thoughts on independent judgment, one of which external control, is the belief that we know what is best for others and that we have the right to impose legislation, laws, regulations, and other edicts to force citizens to do or not do what the politicians think is best. External control psychology assumes and attempts to invoke, dependence. It is the real root of dictatorship.
Internal control psychology, on the other hand, is the foundation of independent judgment. It assumes that each of us controls our own destiny by choosing our values and behaviors. Interaction with others is conducted through reason and logic, that is, persuasion, rather manipulative behavior such as verbal, emotional or physical abuse which often starts in childhood.
I found Kirkpatrick’s book very informative, well researched with numerous examples and references. Even though it is only 206 pages it is a book one will need to read slowly to absorb the facts and information as it does read like a textbook.
Regarding the definition of a Free Society, it is stated that there are two requirements: a strong sense of self-esteem and a willingness to take personal responsibility for one’s life. Throughout the book the term, “correct perception” is used frequently. I have some difficulty with that term as who is to say what is correct? For me it is like saying “normal behavior.”
Sometimes independent judgment may go against the will of the majority or the convictions of family, friends, or colleagues, but toleration of such convictions is precisely what defines the free society and powers it to new heights of freedom and accomplishment. Giving in, succumbing to fear, wearing blinders, going along with the status quo, and other forms of compromising what we see, and are willing to say and do, thwarts happiness by undermining our sense of identity and compels us to resort to compensating behaviors.
“Independent Judgment and Introspection” is highly informative, factual and thought-provoking. Readers will love the food for thought and self-reflection provided by Jerry Kirkpatrick. I highly recommend this book.
Kirkpatrick states “The aim of this book is to explore the nature of independent judgment and its relationship to the free society. Throughout the journey, we will find that psychology, especially the skill of introspection, plays a significant role in developing and maintaining independence in the individual and in generating the desire to live in a free society.”
Independent judgment is the ability and freedom to express one’s mind without the fear of what others will think of us, which might include disapproval, rejection and self-doubt. We all would like to think that we have the ability to say what we think without all the dreaded drama that comes with it, but sadly very few of us do. Choice and self-assertion are seen as a disruption of authority and disobedience. In reality, they are signs of developing self-esteem and personal identity.
Can independent judgment be taught? Yes, but it must start at an early age. Children, of course, need to be given love and support, but they also need to be given freedom, within limits appropriate to their maturity, to choose their own values. And they need to be allowed to learn from their mistakes.
The author discusses many theories and thoughts on independent judgment, one of which external control, is the belief that we know what is best for others and that we have the right to impose legislation, laws, regulations, and other edicts to force citizens to do or not do what the politicians think is best. External control psychology assumes and attempts to invoke, dependence. It is the real root of dictatorship.
Internal control psychology, on the other hand, is the foundation of independent judgment. It assumes that each of us controls our own destiny by choosing our values and behaviors. Interaction with others is conducted through reason and logic, that is, persuasion, rather manipulative behavior such as verbal, emotional or physical abuse which often starts in childhood.
I found Kirkpatrick’s book very informative, well researched with numerous examples and references. Even though it is only 206 pages it is a book one will need to read slowly to absorb the facts and information as it does read like a textbook.
Regarding the definition of a Free Society, it is stated that there are two requirements: a strong sense of self-esteem and a willingness to take personal responsibility for one’s life. Throughout the book the term, “correct perception” is used frequently. I have some difficulty with that term as who is to say what is correct? For me it is like saying “normal behavior.”
Sometimes independent judgment may go against the will of the majority or the convictions of family, friends, or colleagues, but toleration of such convictions is precisely what defines the free society and powers it to new heights of freedom and accomplishment. Giving in, succumbing to fear, wearing blinders, going along with the status quo, and other forms of compromising what we see, and are willing to say and do, thwarts happiness by undermining our sense of identity and compels us to resort to compensating behaviors.
“Independent Judgment and Introspection” is highly informative, factual and thought-provoking. Readers will love the food for thought and self-reflection provided by Jerry Kirkpatrick. I highly recommend this book.
February 23, 2020
Now working on my paper on what I learned from Kirkpatrick's books.
January 1, 2022
I am not happy with his unbalanced representation of all religion. His last chapter is a re-telling of the work of Edith Packer.
He emphasizes that Freud was doing true science by trying to understand mental illness. I have to agree to some extent. But Freud was also doing speculative metaphysics at the same time a practice which is the bane of intellectual inquiry.
He emphasizes that Freud was doing true science by trying to understand mental illness. I have to agree to some extent. But Freud was also doing speculative metaphysics at the same time a practice which is the bane of intellectual inquiry.
May 24, 2024
This is an interesting, valuable and aggravating book. He makes the case for a similarity in Dewey and Montessori: concentrated attention. He says that is a crucial teaching subject. He then gives a history of philosophy of education, starting with Pestalozzi. He then spends a great deal of time discussing rationalism. He moves on to a discussion of bureaucratic education and free market education. The discussion of bureaucratic education is very good, the free-market discussion seems to me to throw the baby out with the bath water. The fact that tests are used to disqualify people in bureaucratic situations does not mean they must be eliminated altogether. It might be the case that in a free market in education, students want certificates of completion and excellence. As I have said repeatedly for years, credentials disqualify candidates, they do not qualify them. What qualifies them is a combination of fit, reputation and judgment on the part of the hirer.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews