Critical Theory and Education: A Comprehensive Analysis

This essay provides a comprehensive overview of critical theory and its implications for education. It begins by defining critical theory, emphasizing its focus on societal structures, power dynamics, and the shaping of human thought through ideology, culture, and economics. The essay then explores critical theory's critique of modern schooling, arguing that it often reinforces dominant ideologies rather than empowering individuals. The contributions of key thinkers like Theodor Adorno and Paulo Freire are examined, highlighting their perspectives on education and its role in addressing social inequalities and authoritarianism. The essay also discusses the challenges critical theory faces in the context of education, particularly concerning the indoctrination of young minds. Ultimately, the essay concludes that critical theory, with its emphasis on equality and the human capacity for curiosity, offers valuable insights for achieving more effective and equitable educational practices.

Running head: CRITICAL THEORY AND EDUCATION
CRITICAL THEORY AND EDUCATION
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

CRITICAL THEORY AND EDUCATION
Critical theory states that societies of humans are pathological and to understand the
latter one needs to know about its causes. People can find these causes within the ideology,
culture, religion, language and economic of society (Higgs and Smith 2017). The theory also
states that power structure not only dominates the economic and social life but also shape the
way humans think (How 2017). Therefore critical theory focuses on cynicism as well as
rationalism. It focuses on people to make them realise how they are being moulded by the
society and exploited by the latter (Higgs and Smith 2017). Hence, the primary aim of the
essay is to discuss about critical theory from various viewpoints.
Critical theory also challenges the way modern schooling has shaped itself and claims
to change the way people think regarding education as well as practice. Critical theory
criticises the way in which modern schooling imparts knowledge to children. According to
the theory only dominant ideologies are passed on young as well as impressionable mind that
has a long term effect on them (Higgs and Smith 2017). The theory states instead of
empowering people through education modern schooling is disempowering people by
teaching them to be passive. It states that people should emancipate themselves and change
their thought regarding knowledge (Higgs and Smith 2017). The theory is also hesitant
towards that is used in the classroom as technology has now made people dependent on it that
makes people lonely and feel alienated. Modes of communication has been affected (Higgs
and Smith 2017).
Theodor Adorno wrote many books on education like ‘Theory of Half Education’,
‘Education after Auschwitz’ and others. His most famous writing where he has blatantly
written his views on education is Education after Auschwitz (Snir 2017). According to
Adorno Auschwitz took place because the students of Germany and Europe was taught about
authoritarianism and treat people as well as themselves as cogs and consider achiness to be
more powerful than humans (Higgs and Smith 2017). Therefore, Adorno stated that in all

CRITICAL THEORY AND EDUCATION
kinds of education there is always a tension between the autonomy of the individual and the
demands placed on them (Snir 2017).
Paul Freire too was concerned about education as poor people were excluded from the
society for being illiterate and that education was completely in the hands of capitalist class
that would bring more inequalities (Veugelers 2017). He wanted education to be imparted to
all otherwise capitalism would bring more adversities with it.
It is problematic for critical theory when it comes to education as the theory does not
believe in the concept of knowledge. Furthermore, the theory cannot be applied to education
as young children with vulnerable minds are indoctrinated into different kinds of Marxist
ideology (Higgs and Smith 2017). The theory believes that educating the young should
include understanding of the adults.
Therefore, to conclude it must be noted that critical theory does not deny education it
is essential for the latter. By understanding that knowledge is not derived from any external
force but is a part of human existence and that it is the people who are curious to find new
things that makes education a human activity is a way in which critical theory can help in
achieving education. Therefore, critical theory focuses on the need for equality within the
society that will also help in achieving education.

CRITICAL THEORY AND EDUCATION
References
Higgs, P. and Smith, J., 2017. Philosophy Of Education Today: An Introduction. 2nd ed. Juta,
p.152.
How, A., 2017. Critical theory. Macmillan International Higher Education.
Snir, I., 2017. Minima Pedagogica: Education, thinking and experience in Adorno. Journal of
Philosophy of Education, 51(2), pp.415-429.
Veugelers, W., 2017. The moral in Paulo Freire’s educational work: What moral education
can learn from Paulo Freire. Journal of Moral Education, 46(4), pp.412-421.