Waldorf Education: Pedagogy in Support of Good Thinking

Date of Completion

2-1-1997

Document Type

Open Access Capstone

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

First Advisor

Delores B. Gallo

Abstract

This synthesis project examines Waldorf school pedagogy and its relation to critical and creative thinking philosophy. It identifies the limitations of the traditional positivist perspective in education and calls for attention to the development of empathy. I take the work of Blythe McVicker Clinchy, Delores Gallo, Peter McLauren, and Kerry Walters as my framework. Good thinking is used as term meaning a true synergy of critical and creative thinking. Waldorf pedagogy is outlines as a holistic enterprise based upon Rudolf Steiner’s theory of human development. This model described the human as a being of willing, feeling and thinking. Education of a student as such, fosters critical and creative thinking in the sense of good thinking. Anecdotal evidence of the benefits of a Waldorf education is offered in the voice of a high school junior, along with other sources. Waldorf education teaches for critical and creative thinking. Not only does Waldorf pedagogy support the education of thinking (reason) and feeling (imagination and empathy), it also educates for responsibility and action explicitly through development of the will.

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