Poster Presentation in
Long Beach, CA

Abstract: Undeniably, education is significant for the development of society. Philosophers John Dewey and bell hooks recognized this, and both argue for an education that leads students to develop themselves and their society. For Dewey, the value of education is not in the student’s ability to produce a thought, but in the thinking itself. For hooks, education is the key to effectively dealing with power imbalances. I use both Dewey and hooks to understand the shortcomings of schools in the United States in producing critical thinkers. I provide what I believe to be the best first steps for individual education: self-interest, focus on discourse, and creative investigation. Additionally, I have conducted surveys to understand a student’s disposition to critical thinking and positive learning habits. If we want to be responsible members of our society, we have an obligation to prepare ourselves for that role.