The Philosophy of Education of the Organess and Gasset: A Critique of Education Today

Abstract

Studying Ortega y Gasset we can discern a philosophy of education even if he never madeclaims to one. In Meditación de la técnica, La rebelión de las masas and El libro de las misiones he reflects on what studying means both from a teacher and a student perspective. Also, Ortega y Gasset's whole life as constitutes an example of he thought learning should be and how teachers should act.Pedagogy has been a universitydisciplinefor many decades but it stillslacks theoretical consistency, which is a serious problem for the discipline, for education and for the countries that try to improve their education. In this situation, the study of Ortega y Gasset is helpful because it provides a coherent view on education focusing on theoretical learning and the "pedagogy of effort". He stresses individual responsibility as opposed to education seen as an activity that is merely playful or social. Ortega y Gasset's words about modern men as the"new barbarians" still apply as a criticism of modern education.