Foundations of the human sciences¹

Editor's Note: This article is the eighth in a continuing series examining the humanistic foundations of each of the human sciences, in the hope that reflection on the shared core issues will be beneficial to all.

: Beyond reductionism: The emerging holistic paradigm in education

Abstract

Modern educational theory and practice are grounded in an objec‐tivistic, reductionistic world view, particularly a “natural science” conception of human development. Holistic education is a radically non‐reductionistic approach based upon a person‐centered, ecological, global and spiritual world view. As such, the holistic paradigm is an alternative not only to the scientistic reductionism of the modern age, but also to the intellectual reductionism of postmodern thought. Holistic education is a humanistic as well as spiritual critique of the dominant culture.

Notes

Editor's Note: This article is the eighth in a continuing series examining the humanistic foundations of each of the human sciences, in the hope that reflection on the shared core issues will be beneficial to all.