ABSTRACT
In Chapter 1, I begin the analysis of the three dominant paradigms of transformation that currently wield influence in educational thinking today. The first is the paradigm of conversion. I argue in this chapter that the various programs of transformative education that have been developed in social justice education, multicultural education and critical pedagogy can be characterized by this kind of transformation. After first discussing several qualities of conversion experiences in general and then several prominent examples of the influence of this idea in these areas, I turn in the latter part of the chapter to the ethical advantages and disadvantages of transformative education as conversion. Although I agree with the importance placed on the values of equality and social justice in this paradigm, my final position is that the ethical disadvantages of conversion ultimately outweigh the advantages.
