Being one’s self. Rethinking autonomy and responsibility as mainstays in today’s education

Abstract

One of the main goals of education in the 21st Century is developing students’ autonomy and responsibility. The first is to guarantee the shaping of each individual’s identity, which at the same time entails a pledge to one’s self, to others and to the surrounding reality. The second is in response to our ability to make commitments. To this end we must first immerse ourselves in the concepts of individuality and freedom, which are at the heart of the subject’s awakening and the development of his or her identity. Second, we must outline to all people their rights and duties which will act as permanent reference points that are valid for any situation of interaction. This will finally allow us to address the idea of responsibility, a key factor in forming the moral identity of each individual. In short, the idea is to shape people so that they can live in accordance with their own identity and make a commitment to a common future with other people and other issues and realities, in a world where multiple viewpoints are possible.

Keywords

• autonomía
• responsabilidad
• identidad moral
• yo
• educación
• teoría de la educación