A book by Dr. Jin Ling, Peace Education Special Interest Group
Ling, J. (2006). Love, Peace, and Wisdom in Education: A Vision for Education in the 21st Century. Rowman & Littlefield Education.
Author Jing Lin contends
that there is a great need for educators to reconceptualize education in the
21st century. Here, she discusses the danger of global wars, environmental
breakdown, moral vacuum and nihilism in society, and the problems in current
debates on school reform. This book calls for a school that facilitates the
formation of a compassionate and loving global community-one that teaches the
younger generation to gain a harmonious, respectful relationship with nature.
The author envisions a school where the teaching of our interconnectedness
based on love, changes the learning atmosphere, school curriculum focus,
teacher-student relationships, school leadership, and the role of education in
society as a transformative power. The book challenges our schools to shift
from a rationalistic, functionalist perspective that primarily emphasizes tests
and efficiency, to a constructive, transformative paradigm in which the
integrated development of students' intellectual, moral, emotional, spiritual,
and ecological abilities to promote understanding of the world helps nurture
respect for all human beings and nature. In all, constructing a loving world
should be the central purpose of education in the 21st century.
This book will be of interest t policy makers, teachers, school administrators,
peace and environmental activists, and students.
About The Author
Jing Lin is an associate professor of
education at University of Maryland, College Park. She is the author of four
books and numerous articles on social equality, school reform and peace and
environmental education.
