Book Review

Revising Pluralism’s Place In Education: Lacy on Blacker’s Democratic Education Stretched Thin


Review of David Blacker’s Democratic Education Stretched Thin: How Complexity Challenges a Liberal Ideal, The Philosophy of Education, ed. Philip L. Smith (Albany: State University of New York Press, 2007). ISBN-13: 978-0-7914-6966-8. 249 pages.

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Review by Tim Lacy, Ph.D.
Loyola University Chicago

Revising Pluralism’s Place in Education: A Critical Sermon Needing a Larger Congregation

In Democratic Education Stretched Thin, University of Delaware Professor David J. Blacker approaches his subject with a philosopher’s mind and excellent credentials. As a faculty member of Delaware’s School of Education, trained in professional philosophy, he has accumulated a long list of education-related publications. His last book, Dying to Teach (Teacher’s College Press, 1997), relied on close readings of philosophical texts to underscore the complexity of teaching and learning. Dying to Teach was well-received by critics. He has also authored well over thirty articles and book chapters in the past fifteen years. Professor Blacker’s strengths clearly lie in philosophizing, in a broad knowledge of the education establishment, and in analyzing teaching methodology. …

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