Towards Rational Education

Towards Rational Education explores how education can become rational by serving character building, rational thinking and the common good. It uses evidence-based psychology, philosophy, sociology and political science to support transforming education and provides a brand-new framework for effective universal education. This book endorses Rational-Emotive Behavior Theory (REBT) and rational education philosophy theories as main vehicles paving a viable set of rational education values and practices. Collective wisdom, rational living, freedom, mental health, altruism, solidarity, equality and fraternity are seen as the foundational values for shaping already existing schools of the world become more rational and in establishing Rational Education Communities (REC) and Rational Schools (RS). Calling for a philosophical and socio-political shift in education values and practices, the book cites principles, tools and practices that rational educators, philosophers, psychologists, other related scientists-practitioners and people have offered us as a legacy for building a more rational and positive education for all people universally, without sacrificing cultural sensitivity and expressivity. This book will be of great interest for the general audience and a special interest for academics, researchers and post-graduate students in the fields of the philosophy of education, positive psychology, educational psychology and educational policy.

Demetris Katsikis (PhD, RE&CBT) is the coordinator of services, research, training and development at the Hellenic Institute for Rational-Emotive and Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Athens, Greece. His specialties include school/community, developmental and clinical psychology applied to diverse settings including psychotherapy, counseling, education and rational living. He is the founder and leader of the evolving -- Work Group and Community in Greece and the Editor-in-Chief of the -- Journal. He is currently striving to set the foundations for the establishment of rational education values and practices at the sociopolitical level.

Introduction PART ONE - Rational education values 1. My vision for education 2. Fundamental values of rational education 3. Education vs. educational system Conclusion to Part 1: Answers to fundamental questions PART TWO - Rational education practices 4. Existing Schools: Towards more rational education 5. Rational schools: An elegant form of rational education 6. Rational education in the 21st century 7. Fundamental practices of rational education in the Rational School 8. Why rational education values and practices are really not established in schools: An essential commentary and the call for rational schools Instead of an epilogue: on healthy utopia