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“The Peace School: Another Angle on Humanism”
Presented by Richard Dowsett
Recently, HAT and the other Humanist associations (Ontario Humanist Society, Humanist Canada, etc.) were contacted by a gentleman named Nasser Yousefi. Mr. Yousefi describes himself as follows:
“I am a psychologist and education specialist. I have been working with children for over three decades, and for the past twenty years, I have been managing a humanistic school (**). Recently, my family and I immigrated to Toronto, where I am now involved in the first humanistic and alternative school based on humanistic principles in the city.”
(**) in Iran
In introducing himself and his Peace School to HAT, Mr. Yousefi included two essays (linked below along with The Peace School’s website) that outline the school’s Humanistic philosophy. There are some aspects of this philosophy that any Canadian Humanist would identify with and share: fairness, human rights, non-discrimination, equality. But there are others that are not contained amongst the “usual suspects” of Canadian humanist principles and a further few that may even be at odds with them.
For our interest and The Peace School’s edification, I propose to explore Nasser’s essays further.
Please read the essays linked below and comment on the following aspects:
A Lack of Ethical Focus in Current Education - “Many educational systems teach their students that they have the right and are allowed to do anything for their success. All those who fuel and encourage violence, domination, totalitarianism, more profit, and individual interests in some ways have undoubtedly been trained in systems that were competitive and based on personal interests.”
A shift from Behaviourist Education to Humanist Education - competition to cooperation
Promoting the Concepts of The Culture of Peace and the centrality of Pacifism. Why is pacifism and non-violence not at the core of western Humanist philosophy?
Respect and A Decent Life for ALL Humans - Mr. Yousefi describes Humanistic education as the “most progressive, modern, and leftist strategy we can adopt.” How does this communalism square with Canadian humanist philosophy?
Expanded Concept of War and Violence - “But war is not mere armed violence. It is a declaration of war when the education system promotes contest, competition, and comparison, fosters elitism, excludes individuals, or tells students that they can do anything for individual success.”
Shared, common interests vs Individualism - “Individualism and personal success tear us all apart and make us fall. Privileging and highlighting individual interests are the loss of all.” Is modern humanist philosophy rooted in individualism?
What do we think about The Peace School?