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Analysis Of Paulo Freire 's Theory Of Existence

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Paulo Freire was an educational reformist from Brazil. Some had called his approach to education as radical. He had practical and theoretical ideas of education and believed in liberation through education. Much of his work had been based on involvement in teaching in the third world, which meant many that he taught had limited literacy skills. In 1959, he was exiled from Brazil because his method of education had threatened those in power. Friere wanted people to develop a theory of existence. This way, people are constantly reflecting and acting on transformation of their own perception and the world so that it becomes a more equitable place.
This transformation, according to Friere, is an essential and ongoing process that never ends and is always challenging. Friere, unlike Mezirow’s transformational theory, is much more concerned about a social transformation by revealing the reality of the oppressed. This happened by the awakening of their critical consciousness, where they “learn to perceive social, political, and economic contradictions, and to take action against the oppressive elements of reality” (p. 19, Friere). This awakening or kindling of one’s critical consciousness is the result of his educational process. Freire (1970) stated that:
“The more radical he is, the more fully he enters into reality so that, knowing it better, he can better transform it. He is not afraid to confront, to listen, and to see the world unveiled. He is not afraid to meet the people

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