Educating for democracy

Abstract

(uk) В статті розглядаються цілі і завдання упровадження критичного мислення в навчальний процес, визначається роль критичного мислення в демократизації освіти і суспільства в цілому.(ru) В статье рассматриваются цели и задачи введения критического мышление в учебный процесс, определяется роль критического мышления в демократизации образования и общества в целом.(en) The paper deals with the goals and tasks of critical thinking implementation into the learning process. Teaching of critical thinking in Ukraine is considered to be a necessary element of teaching democracy under conditions of complex and long-term transition from an authoritarian order to a democratic one. The role of critical thinking in the democratization of education and society at large has been investigated in the article. Educating for democracy means educating citizens who are prepared to act responsibly in the world and can hear the voice of difference and live with it constructively. In the modern world teaching of critical thinking has become imperative. Students at all levels of education must become more thoughtful, more reasonable, and more judicious. Critical thinking improves reasonableness, and democracy requires reasonable citizens, so critical thinking is a necessary means if the goal is a democratic society. Democratic dispositions such as open-mindedness, reason-giving, cooperative problem solving, and willingness to consider alternatives are all values that are operationalized in the critical thinking classroom. The integration of critical thinking methodology at all levels and across the entire curriculum of the Ukrainian educational system is essential for democratization of Ukrainian society.