Introduction
Education helps in social and economic development and is significant for any political decision. Through education, academics can interact with people and develop creative solutions that help save the world. Praxis is a deliberative, responsible, human-moral action that involves wise judgment. The approach is the basis of creativity in the institutions of higher learning and businesses. Therefore, praxis is an educational approach that augments economic, social, and political development through learning and teaching.
Understanding Key Concepts: Critical Pedagogy and Emancipatory Education
Praxis is a philosophical notion that involves bringing into action ideas taught in class and read from books. Aristotle opined that knowledge had three end games: truth, production, and action (Sabido and Enríquez, 2021). Although Aristotle failed to associate praxis with societal development, August Cieszkowski and Karl Max used the term in the context of societal change (Hanks, 2022). Cieszkowski defined praxis as an action oriented towards changing society. Cieszkowski argued that while speculative philosophy helped achieve absolute truth, a concrete, practical activity that directly influences social life could resolve the deep divisions and contradictions in man’s consciousness (Reheem, Varghese, and Bhardwaj, 2022). Karl Max used the term “praxis” when referring to the free, universal, and self-creative activity through which humans create and change their historical world and themselves (Mijuskovic, 2022). “Praxis” is an activity that is unique to humans and which distinguishes them from all other beings.
Praxis in Education, Teaching, and Learning
Praxis has a broad application in the educational sector to enhance the positive outcome of what is taught in class. Educators use the concept to describe a recurring passage through a cyclical experimental learning process (Reheem, Varghese, and Bhardwaj, 2022). Paulo Freire reinforces praxis application in education and liberation by stating that it is a reflection of people on themselves and the following work towards changes (Howard et al., 2022). It creates a foundation for dialogue which is possible only if there are trust and emotional connection between people (Howard et al., 2022). Freire’s concept of power distribution is that those with more influence can promote the predominant educational ideas (Tomlin, 2016). Students and teachers use the image to acquire a critical consciousness to identify the oppression and take measures to eliminate it (Camangian and Cariaga, 2021). Therefore, praxis pedagogy allows the educators and learners to consider their actions when planning, then again when reflecting as they act within a theoretical framework.
Social Justice in Education: Comparing Educational Thinkers
Education promotes societal development through multiculturalism and diversity, enhancing equity and equality, among other social values. Social justice in education involves the equal distribution of resources and treatment, making all the students feel valued and safe mentally and physically (Naicker and Dogra, 2022). The concept takes two forms in the educational sector: through administrative actions and in classroom teaching of social justice (Russell, Gonzales, and Barkhoff, 2022). The organizational measures that promote social justice include the formulation of policies and distribution of resources and favoring the oppressed groups (Naicker and Dogra, 2022). Meanwhile, classroom teaching involves addressing issues such as racism, and sexism, among others (Russell, Gonzales, and Barkhoff, 2022). Consequently, the students and educators are able to associate their experiences with oppression and work towards a just society. Since praxis promotes social development, it is integrated into education to enhance social justice, according to Paulo Freire and Maxine Greene.
Paulo Freire Notion of Social Justice
Praxis is crucial among human beings since it enhances a deeper, richer, and more textured understanding of themselves. Paulo Freire addressed a solemn dilemma of democracy and the constitution of democratic citizenship. According to Freir,e diversity and crossing borders in education are significant in transformative social justice learning (Corbett and Guilherme, 2021). However, social justice learning can only take place if the educators and learners develop a critical pedagogy, praxis, of themselves and their world (Homza and Fontno, 2021). Freire propounded that domination, aggression, and violence are an intrinsic part of humanity and social life (Kurtz, 2021). Additionally, sexism, racism, and class exploitation are the most salient domination forms. Freire opined that the oppressed students reflect on their predicament and avoid the mistakes that their oppressors made to hurt them. Therefore, creative thinking allows educators and learners to think and act against oppressive institutions to promote social justice.
Maxine Greene Notion Social Justice
Maxine Greene played a significant role in educational philosophy through her various theories. Greene opined that creative thinking and robust imagination were key to an individual’s lifelong learning and democratic society (Bernard and Rotjan, 2021). The philosopher encouraged educators to teach learners to engage the world as it is and may otherwise be (Bernard and Rotjan, 2021). Consequently, learners are encouraged to think of the world with social injustices and without them. For instance, Greene suggested that many individuals in modern society feel dominated and powerless, so their feelings can be overcome through conscious endeavor (Scarlato, 2021). Additionally, oppressed people should think about their conditions in the world to inquire into the oppressive forces and interpret their daily experiences (Jackson, Mohr, and Kindahl, 2021). Maxine Greene, therefore, concluded that self-consciousness is significant for educational and social justice.
Paulo Freire’s and Maxine Greene’s approaches are similar in promoting the integration of praxis in education. The philosophers agree on the fact that self-reflection help students and educators to become conscious of their environment. Freire suggests that the learners and educators should use knowledge as a political process only to reflect on the causes of oppression in their society. In turn, Greene encourages them to have a picture of a world with and without oppression and strive for social control through knowledge. The two philosophers agree that oppression is inescapable in the community and social justice in education in education is necessary. However, Freire is more specific on the salient kinds of oppression in society: class exploitation, sexism, and racism which is needed to be addressed (Roberts, 2021). The two philosophers agree that self-consciousness and reflection among educators and learners as a social functioning are crucial in overcoming oppression and producing artistic knowledge. Paulo Freire and Maxine Greene are ideologically similar in treating social injustice in an educational context.
Personal Analytical Contribution
Reflecting on the routine happenings and experiences of the oppressive forms can be significant in overcoming social injustice. Modern society is full of social injustices in the educational context, especially racism. Meanwhile, class exploitation is not common in learning institutions. People who experience racist actions are in a better position to tell its impact on their personal and social lives. Moreover, the oppressed can reflect on their success if they are not discriminated against. Consequently, they can strive to adapt to their oppressive society and develop creative solutions to racism. Furthermore, getting support from society can encourage anti-racism actions. Therefore, overcoming social injustice requires self-consciousness and support from community.
Education As a Political Process
Politics operate in such a manner that it forms a new kind of state, improving people’s lives. Consequently, politicians preserve effective mechanisms and implement changes in ineffective institutions (Gel’man, 2021). Policy formulation and financing are some of the ways politics influence the educational system. Often, politicians develop educational policies that are consistent with their manifestos (Gethin, Martínez-Toledano, and Piketty, 2021). The formulated policies may affect structure and resource allocation among institutions of higher learning. Meanwhile, as public institutions, schools depend on state financing (Gethin, Martínez-Toledano, and Piketty, 2021). The fiscal decisions by politicians affect performance among schools since they may limit or promote education quality. Education can be regarded as a political process since it is influenced by political decisions.
Knowledge and Social Control
Institutions of higher learning help promote social values such as multiculturalism and diversity. Many schools serve students from diverse ethnic groups and social classes (Adams, Bell, and Griffin, 2007). For instance, colleges and universities in the U.S. admit local and international students. Consequently, the schools provide grounds for cultural exchange and social learning. Education helps in maintaining social control through indoctrination and informal and formal sanctions (Hassan, Mattingly, and Nugent, 2022). Social control in an educational context means that educators and learners interact within boundaries of acceptable behaviors. The institutions of higher learning carry commands of the society and enforce them on educators and learners, promoting social justice (Adams, Bell, and Griffin, 2007). Therefore, society depends on educational institutions to guard its acceptable behaviors.
The implication of Social Justice in Education
The presence of equal and accessible educational resources eliminates the fear of oppression among the students. Consequently, social vices like sexism, racism, and class exploitation are eliminated, allowing the learners to become creative thinkers and gain artistic knowledge. The learners are equipped with the ability to put to work any theoretical framework learned in class (Mahyoob, 2020). Consequently, businesses benefit from their creativity through unique product development and problem-solving. Social justice is significant for educational institutions and businesses success.
Creativity Education in Business Using Digital Learning
While creative education is significant among the institutions of higher learning, it is crucial among businesses. Corporations adopt various business models that are theoretically explained to enhance their performance. While companies demand creative thinking skills among their recruits, they have developed educational activities that enhance innovation among existing employees (Mehmood et al., 2021). Creativity and innovation have three major significance among businesses: promote alternative ways of thinking, unblock old thinking habits, and enable empathy. Moreover, corporations enjoy sustainability since their employees are proactive and solve existing business problems with ease (Mishra and Yadav, 2021). Businesses adopt two mechanisms to integrate praxis among their activities: employ persons with working experience and promote creative education. For instance, law students are allowed to join law firms and the judiciary during their educational years. Similarly, nursing students join various medical institutions to practice their theoretical knowledge. Businesses prioritize learners with practical knowledge since they can relate their working environment to what is learned in class.
Creativity is dynamic and may shift according to societal needs and technological changes. Therefore, businesses ensure that their employees are updated with the changing knowledge and information in their areas of specialties (Kulkov, 2021). Since the employees may not have to go back to school to gain new information, businesses have integrated technology into creative education. New technological advancements have integrated artificial intelligence that helps workers apply their creative skills in real-world situations (Ogbeibu et al., 2021). For instance, pilots are subjected to simulation systems that test their skills according to the changing technology. Therefore, digital learning promotes creativity among employees, enhancing competitiveness in the business industry.
Conclusion
Education plays a significant role in social and economic development by imparting knowledge among learners. Praxis is the philosophical concept that allows learners to bring into action theories and ideas taught in class. The concept was supported by various philosophers such as Aristotle, and Karl Mark, among others. As a critical thinking concept, praxis help learners and educators solve social justice issues as encountered in society.
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