Philosophical perspectives on lesbian and gay issues in education in a democratic society
The three central assertions of this thesis are: (1) that there are no moral grounds for the belief that lesbian and gay sexualities are inferior to heterosexualities, (2) that lesbians, gays, bi-sexuals and heterosexuals are equally valuable and worthy of respect as autonomous human beings with life plans of their own which they have the right to pursue, as long as they do not harm others, (3) that a philosophically informed rationale for arguing for lesbian and gay equality is required in today's aspiring democracies. The concepts of personal autonomy, participatory democracy and the democratic virtues are familiar themes within the Philosophy of Education. This thesis brings these themes to bear on the question of the place of lesbian and gay issues within a democratic education system. In doing so, it places the oppression of lesbians and gays within the broader context of the oppression of other members of the democratic community. It examines these complex and diverse powers of oppression with the aid of philosophical literature and with reference to the philosophical concepts of personal autonomy and participatory democracy. In the light of the previous discussions, philosophical skills, concepts and
Ferguson, James Michael
Humanities and Social Sciences
Philosophical perspectives on lesbian and gay issues in education in a democratic society. The three central assertions of this thesis are: (1) that there are no moral grounds for the belief that lesbian and gay sexualities are inferior to heterosexualities, (2) that lesbians, gays, bi-sexuals and heterosexuals are equally valuable and worthy of respect as autonomous human beings with life plans of their own which they have the right to pursue, as long as they do not harm others, (3) that a philosophically informed rationale for arguing for lesbian and gay equality is required in today's aspiring democracies. The concepts of personal autonomy, participatory democracy and the democratic virtues are familiar themes within the Philosophy of Education. This thesis brings these themes to bear on the question of the place of lesbian and gay issues within a democratic education system. In doing so, it places the oppression of lesbians and gays within the broader context of the oppression of other members of the democratic community. It examines these complex and diverse powers of oppression with the aid of philosophical literature and with reference to the philosophical concepts of personal autonomy and participatory democracy. In the light of the previous discussions, philosophical skills, concepts and
philosophical perspective issue education democratic_society central assertion moral_ground belief sexuality inferior heterosexual equally valuable worthy respect autonomous human_being life plan right pursue long harm others philosophically inform rationale argue equality require today aspire democracy concept_personal autonomy participatory democracy democratic virtue familiar theme within philosophy_education brings theme bear question place issue within democratic education_system place oppression within_broad context oppression member democratic community examines complex diverse power oppression aid philosophical_literature reference philosophical concept_personal autonomy participatory democracy light previous discussion philosophical skill concept