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queenofodas's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
3.75
cribeiro295's review against another edition
informative
reflective
4.5
Education either functions as an instrument which is used to facilitate integration of the younger generation into the logic of the present system and bring about conformity or it becomes the practice of freedom, the means by which men and women deal critically and creatively with reality and discover how to participate in the transformation of their world.
bearprof's review against another edition
4.0
Powerful book, the kind that would best be read in discussion with others.
sabotaje's review against another edition
5.0
I was initially a bit hesitant to read this book, due to what I perceived to be a strong Marxist-Leninist influence. While this influence is evident throughout the book, I found "Pedagogy of the Oppressed" to be an anti-authoritarian view not only of education but also of leadership and of what it means to be a humanist, as opposed to a humanitarian.
The core of Freire's ideas is also deeply influenced by Mao's ideas on cultural revolution, despite the fact that he only mentions him once or twice in the book. However, he infuses in those ideas a Latin American perspective that helps explain not only why a cultural revolution is necessary for a revolution that serves the people, but also why a revolution that does not rely on a true dialog, integration, and communion with the oppressed is not a true revolution, but a continuation of the models of oppression that have been ingrained in our lives and that dehumanize us (that is, that turn of into spectators of a reality constructed by oppressors, rather than as Subjects that transform reality).
I disagree with some of his ideas that are centered around the need or aspirations of holding power, as I believe that it has been proven time and time again that power corrupts even those with a deeply humanist heart (though he highlights that power must not be a requirement to work toward conscientização, and dismisses that idea that power is a requirement for cultural revolution), and his references to Lenin and Fidel Castro, both authoritarian revolutionaries, can at times contradict thoughts on critical thinking and reflection. Nevertheless, I found the text to be illuminating, as his thoughts on pedagogy and leadership are inspiring - the idea that leadership and education that does not have a dialog and cultural synthesis at its core is but a reflection of systems of oppression that we continue to perpetuate (as we tend to "House" the oppressor, as Freire says).
The book gave me a perspective that helps me reflect on my own efforts toward social change and action, but it also helps me see leadership, a role that I have often misunderstood as being intrinsically authoritarian, in a new light. As such, I will be re-reading this book.
The core of Freire's ideas is also deeply influenced by Mao's ideas on cultural revolution, despite the fact that he only mentions him once or twice in the book. However, he infuses in those ideas a Latin American perspective that helps explain not only why a cultural revolution is necessary for a revolution that serves the people, but also why a revolution that does not rely on a true dialog, integration, and communion with the oppressed is not a true revolution, but a continuation of the models of oppression that have been ingrained in our lives and that dehumanize us (that is, that turn of into spectators of a reality constructed by oppressors, rather than as Subjects that transform reality).
I disagree with some of his ideas that are centered around the need or aspirations of holding power, as I believe that it has been proven time and time again that power corrupts even those with a deeply humanist heart (though he highlights that power must not be a requirement to work toward conscientização, and dismisses that idea that power is a requirement for cultural revolution), and his references to Lenin and Fidel Castro, both authoritarian revolutionaries, can at times contradict thoughts on critical thinking and reflection. Nevertheless, I found the text to be illuminating, as his thoughts on pedagogy and leadership are inspiring - the idea that leadership and education that does not have a dialog and cultural synthesis at its core is but a reflection of systems of oppression that we continue to perpetuate (as we tend to "House" the oppressor, as Freire says).
The book gave me a perspective that helps me reflect on my own efforts toward social change and action, but it also helps me see leadership, a role that I have often misunderstood as being intrinsically authoritarian, in a new light. As such, I will be re-reading this book.
drbatfcc's review against another edition
5.0
All teachers and future teachers and students and learners should read this book
mariam25's review against another edition
5.0
“Hope, however, does not consist in crossing one’s arms and waiting. As long as I fight, I am moved by hope; and if I fight with hope, then I can wait.” That’ll sit with me for a while.
emmakhughes02's review against another edition
Yes, good and readable. Unpleasant flashbacks to two subpar essays. Can’t win them all.