Education’s theology
David Aldridge explores the theological legacy of Western educational thought.
Education’s theology
20 May 2026, 17:30 – 19:15
Influential educational concepts such as literacy, ability and merit are ‘haunted’ by a period of domination of Western schooling and the university by the salvific concerns of post-axial religious movements. Some philosophers have presented this haunting as a scandal to be overcome; some have pointed to a possible recovery of the theological significance of education in a post-secular age.
Others have sought to ‘return’ to a Socratic framing of the educational endeavour that precedes the soteriological. Reckoning with ‘education’s theology’ requires interdisciplinary engagement between theology, philosophy and history.
Please note this is an online event. To book your place, please email Yuxin Su: stnvysu@ucl.ac.uk.
PESGB seminar series
This event is part of the Philosophy of Education Society of Great Britain (PESGB) seminar series. PESGB is a learned society that promotes the study, teaching and application of philosophy of education. Its London Branch hosts seminars every Wednesday in conjunction with the Centre for Philosophy of Education. These seminars are led by national and international scholars in the field, covering a wide range of issues of educational and philosophical concern.
All are welcome to attend.
Related links
Image
araelf via Adobe Stock.
David Aldridge
Dean of Curriculum and Childhood
Marino Institute of Education
Previously he was Head of Evaluation and Observational Research at the National Institute of Teaching, and Professor of Teacher Education at Edge Hill University.
He is an Assistant Editor of the Journal of Philosophy of Education and former editor-in-chief of the British Educational Research Journal.
Further information
Ticketing
Pre-booking essential
Cost
Free
Open to
All
Availability
Yes
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