Desiderius Erasmus Contribution to Critical Thinking Theory

Abstract

Cilj ovog rada je dovesti u vezu Erazmovu misao s teorijom kritičkog mišljenja. Autor nas na početku upoznaje općenito s teorijom kritičkog mišljenja, preko dva djela Johna Deweya. Potom razmatra što Erazmo misli o početku obrazovanja djece u ranoj dobi i u tome vidi poveznicu s Deweyevom teorijom. Nadalje analizira kako Erazmo shvaća pojam eruditio, ali i ostale pojmove kao što su: ratio, usus, philosophia, te promatra u kakvom su odnosu i zaključuje kako je pojam eruditio na tragu današnjeg pojma kritičkog mišljenja. Zatim iznosi Erazmov stav kakve bi trebale biti karakteristike dobrog učitelja, te u tome vidi, u nekim aspektima, sličnost s Oscarom Brenifierom i Johnom Deweyem. Nadalje, traži kako započeti kritičko promišljanje, i dolazi do zaključka da Erazmo kao povode nudi basne, vježbe jezika i poslovice. Na kraju autor pronalazi elemente kritičkog mišljenja u djelu Pohvala ludosti, s obzirom da djelo nudi satirički kritički osvrt na društvo njegovog doba. Tu povlači zaključke kako se tu mogu pronaći neki elementi kritičkog mišljenja koje je kasnije prepoznao Francis BaconAim of this work is connect Erasmus thought with theory of critical thinking. At the beginning author introduce us with critical thinking theory in general, through two works of John Dewey. After that he consider what Erasmus think of early-age education and in that he sees link with Dewey’s theory. Further he analyzes how Erasmus understand notion eruditio, also what ratio, usus and philosophia means for him, after which he is looking for the relations between these terms. Author comes to conclusion that meaning of the notion eruditio is similar with nowadays understanding of critical thinking. He then outlines Erasmus’ attitude as to what the characteristics of a good teacher should be, and in this he sees, in some respects, a resemblance to Oscar Brenifier and John Dewey. Furthermore, he seeks how to begin to think critically, and concludes that Erazmo offers as a pretext fables, language exercises and proverbs. In the end, the author finds elements of critical thinking in The Praise of Folly, since the work offers a satirical critical reflection on the society of his time. Author draws conclusions that some elements of critical thinking, later recognized by Francis Bacon, can be found here