ABSTRACT
The aim of this book is to argue that philosophies of Catholic education are in a new process of evolution, but that they lack completeness. This book aims to ameliorate some conspicuous lacunae in writings about Catholic education and its current relevance. My purpose is to provoke discussion because currently Catholic education comprises an amalgam of philosophies characterised by diversity and eclecticism which has given rise to a set of multifaceted Catholic educational institutions operating different goals and theories of education. The text aims to link the legacy of Neo-Scholastic writings on education with contemporary concerns in Catholic education. More specifically, it asks several questions that drive my provocations, like what does ‘Catholic’ add to education to make it truly Catholic education? Can we identify which mainstream educational philosophies are most compatible with Catholic education? Since a philosophy of education is essentially a statement of one's beliefs about the purpose of education, how we develop and learn, and what and how we should be taught, it would seem reasonable to assume that Catholic faith and life ought to have a contribution to make. If we claim that education prepares human beings for life, then it follows that we need to have some conception of what the purpose of that life is. Therefore, it might be expected we need a theologically based philosophy of Catholic education to justify the aims and priorities of Catholic education.
