Overview

Democracy is struggling in an age of populism and post-truth. In a world swirling with competing political groups stating conflicting facts, citizens are left unsure whom to trust and which facts are true. The role of honesty in civic life is in jeopardy. When we lose sight of the importance of honesty, it hampers our ability to solve pressing problems. Teaching Honesty in a Populist Era asserts that to better enable young citizens to successfully engage in civic inquiry, the role of honesty must be foregrounded within education.The book posits that honesty is a key component of a well-functioning democracy. Building upon this foundation, Sarah M. Stitzlein defines what honesty is, how it is connected to truth, and why both are important to and at risk in democracies today. Furthermore, the chapters offer guidance on how honesty and truth should be taught in schools. Situated within the philosophical perspective of pragmatism, the book examines the relationships between honesty, truth, trust, and healthy democratic living and provides recommendations for improving citizenship education and our ability to engage in civic reasoning.Teaching Honesty in a Populist Era offers an improved path forward within our schools by detailing how to cultivate habits of truth-seeking and truth-telling. Such honesty will better enable citizens to navigate our difficult political moment and increase the likelihood that citizens can craft long-term solutions for democratic life together.

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9780197775882

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"In a time of Big Lies and online disinformation about everything from the climate to elections, the notion that honesty is a crucial democratic good is a refreshing, even radical idea. Building on the pragmatist insights of John Dewey, Stitzlein not only defends the social value of honesty, she explores how we can, and must, put that value into action in educational practice. The result is a deeply original, engagingly written and much-needed articulation of truth's role in democratic life."" - Michael Patrick Lynch, author of Know-it-All Society; Provost Professor of Humanities, University of Connecticut A fresh, deeply thoughtful, and timely meditation on a timeless concern. Currently, honesty, like democracy, is in retreat. And, as Stitzlein makes clear, these goals are interdependent. She uses a pragmatist's lens to clarify a vision of honesty well suited to respond to populist leanings and, importantly, clarifies both a vital role for educators and steps we should take."" - Joseph Kahne, Dutton Presidential Professor of Education, University of California Riverside In our hyper-partisan political context, it is easy to dismiss and dehumanize those who disagree with you, especially when you think their facts are wrong. In this book, Stitzlein artfully weaves together philosophical reasoning and research from a range of disciplines to articulate a set of civic habits that humanize political rivals. In so doing, she reveals the ways in which truth and honesty are culturally constructed. She goes on to argue that pragmatic inquiry, grounded in civic honesty, will move the public and students from debates toward collective concern about our shared fates. This is a powerful and inspirational reframing of democratic living and democratic education."" - Paula McAvoy, Associate Professor of Social Studies Education, North Carolina State University"

Author Information

Sarah M. Stitzlein is Professor of Education and Affiliate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Cincinnati. Her research explores issues of political agency, educating for democracy, youth civic engagement, and equity in schools. She is the author of Learning How to Hope and American Public Education and the Responsibility of its Citizens, and co-editor of the journal Democracy & Education.

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