A REDEFINITION OF LIBERAL AND HUMANISTIC EDUCATION

This article aims to integrate and reach beyond three distinct discourses on humanistic and liberal education: the philosophical-curricular, the historical, and the highly politicized debate between conservative and radical educational theorists. It will be argued that humanistic education can be classified into four forms – classical, romantic, existentialist, and radical – and that they should be viewed as complementing rather than negating each other. Finally, an integrative model of humanistic and liberal education will be offered, one whose foundational principles are acculturation, autonomy, and authenticity.