Of Human Potential (Routledge Revivals): An Essay in the Philosophy of Education - Hardcover

The concept of potential plays a prominent role in the thinking of parents, educators and planners the world over. Although this concept accurately reflects central features of human nature, its current use perpetuates traditional myths of fixity, harmony and value, calculated to cause untold mischief in social and educational practice. First published in 1985, Israel Scheffler's book aims to demythologise the concept of potential. He shows its roots in genuine aspects of human nature, but at the same time frees it from outworn philosophical myths by means of analytical reconstruction - thereby improving both its theoretical and its practical applicability.

The book concludes with an interpretation of policy-making in education, and reflections on the ideal education of a policy-maker. It emphasises human symbolism, choice, temporal continuity, and self-determination as indispensible elements of any adequate philosophy of education. Of Human Potential will be of interest to a broad range of philosophers, educators and social scientists.

Michael Milligan has been a television comedy writer and producer for over thirty years. Among his credits are The Jeffersons, All in the Family, Dear John, Here and Now, and Fatherhood. He is also the author of the books Grandpa Rules, and, with his wife, Jill, Grandma Rules and Mom Rules. Michael and Jill live in Southern California.
Tom Lynch has spent the last twenty years as a story analyst, identifying and developing screenplays for some of the biggest movie studios in Hollywood. Prior to that, he was a helicopter pilot, working around the world, from the steaming jungles of Vietnam and New Guinea to the Sands of ther Persian Gulf and the mountains of Alaska. yet some of his most dangerous and exciting assignments took place at the wheel of the family van as an operational dad under the command of his wife, Cookie.