Publisher's Synopsis
An Inaugural Professorial Lecture In his inaugural lecture, Professor Richard Aldrich draws upon the concepts of the end of history and of the beginning of education to provide a penetrating analysis of the state of education at the end of the twentieth century. His introduction explores the nature of history and of education, and of the relationships between them. Examples of historical perspectives upon current educational issues are examined, and their deficiencies exposed. Analysis of Fukuyama's notion of the end of history is undertaken with reference to historiography, education, ideology and language, while the beginnings and development of education as a field of study are interpreted in the light of recent critiques by Skidelsky and Hargreaves. Six points are made in overall conclusion. The first two reiterate the importance of informed historical perspectives and of a broad and generous concept of education. Finally, the opportunities provided by the extension of liberal democracies and by an increasing concern for education are explored, with particular emphasis upon the roles for historians of education and for the Institute of Education as a whole.
