Paulo Freire and Ralph Waldo Emerson share a similar vision in regards to traditional A main common view is that both writers feel that the current educationsystem in most places does not allow for people to reach their full capacity. Freire and Emersonshare many other ideas regarding education such as their view of practice and theory and of freethinking. Their works are among the most thought-evoking.In “The American Scholar” Emerson places a strong emphasis on the role of books ineducation and their usage of conveying ideas. He states that, “Books are the best things, wellused; abused, among the worst” (p. 297). This refers to his thought that the idea behind books isindeed a well thought out one. However, aside from the possible misuse of books, there arecertain tasks that a book can not accomplish. Many are relevant only for a period of time, afterwhich they become obsolete and new books are required. This is one of the reasons that Emersonfeels that books alone can not provide a concrete education. They must be supplemented withadditional studies, or, according to Emerson, book studies should be combined with experiencesand applied to life. To read for the sake of knowing information is pointless; instead, man shouldread with the intent to apply newly obtained knowledge to his life. Man should read with adissecting eye, and pick apart the prose, keeping what is relevant and discarding what is babble. This captures the true purpose of books. Paralleling Emerson’s view of books is Freire’s idea oftheory and praxis. Man can learn all there is to know about a discipline yet he cannot fully graspit until he has begun to exercise his newly ascertained information. There is indeed a differencebetween strictly learning theory and learning theory through practice. The theory or ideas can bedeposited in a person’s head and he or she is to put into action the unrefined concep...
