Popper and Homeschooling: Inspiration for an Alternative Education

Abstract

Popper’s ideas about education are based on his theory of knowledge, but they do not form a systematized knowledge in his work. Thus, his ideas and some applications in pedagogy are examined. After a brieft tour across the phenomenon of homeschooling, the statements of a movement of homeschoolers called Taking Children Seriously (TCS) are analyzed. Its founders attribute to the philosopher of science the origin and method of his educational philosophy. It is concluded that the use of critical thinking and the defense of anti-authoritarian teaching are not sufficient conditions to justify the Popperian link, but rather another form of Popper’s myth regarding his ideals about education.