Earth in Mind: On Education, Environment, and the Human Prospect - Softcover

Orr, David W.

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9781559632959: Earth in Mind: On Education, Environment, and the Human Prospect

Softcover

ISBN 10: 155963295X ISBN 13: 9781559632959

Publisher: Island Press, 1994

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In Earth in Mind, noted environmental educator David W. Orr focuses not on problems in education, but on the problem of education. Much of what has gone wrong with the world, he argues, is the result of inadequate and misdirected education that:

alienates us from life in the name of human domination
causes students to worry about how to make a living before they know who they are
overemphasizes success and careers
separates feeling from intellect and the practical from the theoretical
deadens the sense of wonder for the created world

The crisis we face, Orr explains, is one of mind, perception, and values. It is, first and foremost, an educational challenge.

The author begins by establishing the grounds for a debate about education and knowledge. He describes the problems of education from an ecological perspective, and challenges the "terrible simplifiers" who wish to substitute numbers for values. He follows with a presentation of principles for re-creating education in the broadest way possible, discussing topics such as biophilia, the disciplinary structure of knowledge, the architecture of educational buildings, and the idea of ecological intelligence. Orr concludes by presenting concrete proposals for reorganizing the curriculum to draw out our affinity for life.

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From the Back Cover:

In Earth in Mind, Orr focuses not on problems in education, but on the problem of education. Much of what has gone wrong with the world, he argues, is the result of inadequate and misdirected education that alienates us from life in the name of human domination; causes students to worry about how to make a living before they know who they are; overemphasizes success and careers; separates feeling from intellect and the practical from the theoretical and deadens the sense of wonder for the created world. The crisis we face, Orr explains, is one of mind, perception, and values. It is, first and foremost, an educational challenge.

About the Author:

David W. Orr is chair of the environmental studies program at Oberlin College, and education editor of the journal Conservation Biology His previous books include Ecological Literacy and Environmental Responsibility.

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