Introduction: The Pedagogical Obstacle of the Phenomenal Forms

Hidden in the depths of Marx's epistemology is his theory of the phenomenal forms, whose implications have not been sufficiently explored from an educational perspective. This book argues that phenomenal forms pose a major pedagogical obstacle for any endeavour that seeks to expand an individual's awareness of the larger social whole. After situating phenomenal forms in Marx's original framework, the book traces their silent impact on some of the most relevant landmarks and debates of contemporary pedagogical thought, including their misapprehension by Vygotsky and their role in Freire's social democratic project, as well as the exponential growth recently undergone by participatory forms of educational action research and the difficult dialogue maintained by liberal and critical traditions of pedagogy. This book brings these issues together and assesses their potential to provide a consistent solution to the educational obstacles posed by the phenomenal forms.