The Role of Education in Humanization

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14288/ce.v17i2.187452

Keywords:

Paulo Freire, humanization and education, critical pedagogy, philosophy, epistemology, phenomenology, ontology, existentialism

Abstract

This text is a summary of lectures given by Paulo Freire at a conference held in Santiago in May 1967, under the sponsorship of the Organization of American States, the government of Chile, and the University of Chile. Translated from the version published in the FAEEBA Journal – Education and Contemporary Studies, n°. 7, January/July 1997, this paper condenses the ontological and epistemological foundations of the Brazilian educator, as well as demonstrating his more direct relationship with phenomenology and existentialism through direct appropriation of Gabriel Marcel, Jean-Paul Sartre, Karl Jaspers and a vast phenomenological vocabulary.

Author Biographies

Paulo Freire

Paulo Freire (1921–1997) was a Brazilian educator and philosopher known for his influential work in critical pedagogy. He was born in Recife, Brazil, and experienced poverty and hunger during his childhood, which shaped his educational philosophy. Freire was the progenitor of critical pedagogy, an approach to education grounded in a theory of praxis, where reflection and action are inseparable and that emphasizes dialogue and critical thinking over rote memorization. Freire's ideas have had a lasting impact on education worldwide, influencing literacy campaigns and social justice movements. He is often regarded as a key figure in the fight against oppression through education. His work continues to inspire educators and activists seeking to create equitable learning environments.

Felipe C. Aguiar, Universidade Estadual de Londrina

Felipe C. Aguiar, Ph.D. (Candidate) at Universidade Estadual de Londrina. He works at the intersection of curriculum, geography, and phenomenology to provoke curriculum through a poetic dwelling. In the last few years, Felipe has been a teacher and researcher who crosses schools and academy borders. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6563-4763   

Ellyn Lyle, Cape Breton University

Ellyn Lyle, Ph.D., lives reflexively and relationally to invite dialogue about how our ways of engaging with the world and each can support re/humanizing possibilities. Although Ellyn has spent the last ten years in academic leadership, she has remained active in both teaching and research. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8523-6914

Jeani D. P. Moura, Universidade Estadual de Londrina

Jeani D. P. Moura, Ph.D., studies the relations between phenomenology, geography, and education through multiple experiences and intertextualities. Jeani is a professor at Universidade Estadual de Londrina (UEL), Paraná, Brazil in the Department of Geography. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5603-1074

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Published

2026-05-17

Issue

Vol. 17 No. 2 (2026)

Section

Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Paulo Freire; Felipe C. Aguiar, Ellyn Lyle, Jeani D. P. Moura

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