Education as Mutual Translation recounts recent research conducted at a UK Art School. It examines and applies Hindu Vedantist (Ancient Indian) and Yoruba (West African) philosophical concepts of self and mutuality with others, to an environment that expects high levels of individuality. Yoruba and Vedantic analyses of mind are shown to have startling resonance with each other, with Paulo Freire’s critical consciousness, and Ronald Barnett’s student being. In the book these sources are placed in theoretical dialogue with each other and “critical autobiographic reflection” is proposed as a tool for locating cultural, political and ontological self. Further, the research suggests that a more resilient original voice emerges from awareness of society and community than from individualism, and that genuine pedagogic exchange changes student, tutor, and the work of both.

• https://discovery.gsa.ac.uk/permalink/44...