Introduction to philosophy in education and research: African perspectives -- Paradigms, theoretical frameworks and conceptual frameworks in educational research --An afrocentric paradigm in education and research -- Comparative perspectives in philosophy of education in Africa -- Sociological imperatives for education and the theory of change -- Ubuntu's application to the exclusion of students with disability -- Philosophy of disability: African perspectives -- Distance education and the use of information and communication technologies: ethical challenges -- Quality assurance in distance education and (...) ethical imperatives -- Supporting students transition through the academic journey -- Using ICT support in distance education: the blended learning approach. (shrink)

The world is currently experiencing a devastating environmental crisis that is threatening global human development. The environmental crisis is manifested in different interconnected ways such as global warming, climate change, frequent and intensive draughts, wildfires, storms, floods, rising sea levels, melting glaciers, deforestation, loss of animal and plant species. It is undeniable that the global environmental crisis is persistently putting more pressure on governments, communities and world organizations to find solutions for the environmental crisis. The Western moral theories such as (...) animal liberation, biocentrism, ecocentrism and ecofeminism as well as scientific approaches that include mitigation and adaptation have been utilized in order to solve the problem. These theories and approaches seem not to be enough. This is proven by the continuing and escalating environmental crisis in the whole world. However, the African theories and approaches that can complement the Western approaches have not been employed. This chapter seeks to argue that the Western ethical theories have deficiencies that make them ineffective. The paper further argues that the African ethics of Botho can positively contribute to the current environmental crisis discourse that aims at reducing environmental risks for global human development. The ethics of Botho advocates for the establishment and maintenance of humane relations between all human beings and nature. This implies that the environmental crisis that the world is experiencing today, is rooted in the existing inhuman relations between human beings and nature. Therefore, the chapter concludes that the ethics of Botho as an African philosophy should be taught globally from early childhood in families to adulthood at tertiary level in order to address the prevailing environmental crisis that is threatening the global human development. (shrink)

Maximus the Confessor (580–662) was a monk whose writings focused on ascetical interpretations of biblical and patristic works. For his refusal to accept the Monothelite position supported by Emperor Constans II, he was tried as a heretic, his right hand was cut off, and his tongue was cut out. A major theologian of the Byzantine Church, St. Maximus is venerated in both Eastern and Western Christian traditions. Despina Prassas’s translation of the Quaestiones et Dubia presents for the first (...) time in English one of the Confessor’s most significant contributions to early Christian biblical interpretation. The original work is believed to have been written before 626 while the monk was a member of a community located near Constantinople. The text is a series of 239 interrogations and responses addressing theological, philosophical, ascetical, spiritual, and liturgical concerns. In his work, Maximus the Confessor brings together the patristic exegetical aporiai tradition and the spiritual-pedagogical tradition of monastic questions and responses. The overarching theme is the importance of the ascetical life. For Maximus, askesis is a lifelong endeavor that consists of the struggle and discipline to maintain control over the passions. One engages in the ascetical life by taking part in both theoria (contemplation) and praxis (action). To convey this teaching, Maximus uses a number of pedagogical tools including allegory, etymology, number symbolism, and military terminology. Prassas provides a rich historical and contextual background in her introduction to help ground and familiarize the reader with this work. As the first study focused exclusively on the _Quaestiones et dubia,_ this important book will appeal to the growing audience of readers interested in Maximus the Confessor and, more broadly, to scholars and students of early Christianity, early Byzantine monasticism, and patristic biblical exegesis. (shrink)

Trapp offers a new annotated translation of the philosophical orations of Maximus of Tyre. These orations cover a range of topics from Platonic theology to the proper attitude to pleasure. They open a window onto the second century's world of the Second Sophistic and Christian apologists, as well as on to that of the Florentine Platonists of the later fifteenth century who read, studied, and imitated the orations.

A critical edition of Planudes' edition of excerpts from Plato's dialogues.

Written primarily in Greek, 1994 edition.