Beyond happiness? Pondering the purpose(s) of education
Over the last two decades a booming industry in ‘happiness’ has emerged. Academic research on happiness has attracted widespread media attention and spawned a host of more popular publications, many of which have a strong ‘self-help’ flavour. Happiness is typically construed as something we all want and ought to pursue; indeed, it is often seen as the ultimate end to which our activities are directed. Education is expected to enhance, not impede, human happiness. This presentation offers an alternative way of thinking about the nature and purpose of education. It acknowledges the importance of certain forms of happiness while also investigating the role education has to play in creating discomfort, uncertainty, and unhappiness.
Date:
6 June 2016, 16:30 (Monday, 7th week, Trinity 2016)
Venue:
15 Norham Gardens, 15 Norham Gardens OX2 6PY
Venue Details:
Seminar Room A
Speaker:
Professor Peter Roberts (University of Canterbury, New Zealand)
Organising department:
Department of Education
Organiser:
Mr Phil Richards (University of Oxford)
Organiser contact email address:
philip.richards@education.ox.ac.uk
Host:
Dr Alis Oancea (Oxford University Department of Education)
Part of:
Department of Education Public Seminars
Booking required?:
Not required
Audience:
Public
Editor:
Philip Richards
