On the necessity of an alternative conception of liberal moral education in the Global North

Abstract

This paper describes and defends an account of a liberal philosopher of education in response to the current political, social justice and ecological crises that are prevalent in many countries in the Global North and that are attributed to the dominance of (neo)liberalism. It begins with McLaughlin’s analysis of central liberal concepts and his views and educational suggestions laid down in articles written in the ’90s of the previous century. After a description of the central problems of our times that societies and teachers struggle with, I present a liberal education account that intends to reduce the current (hyper)individualism and the ego-focused mentality in the Global North by aiming that students recognise the interdependence of autonomous human beings and by teaching common values and civic or public virtues.