Paulo Freire

Paulo Freire (1921–1997) was one of the most important educators of the twentieth century. Indeed, Freire and his work have been studied and scrutinized by thousands of scholars around the globe, and what may be described as his most significant and popular book, Pedagogy of the Oppressed, has been cited more than 72,000 times—the most in the world in the education discipline. His primary works have been translated into more than 20 languages. Educators, philosophers, and anyone interested in schooling practices as they relate to social architecture, social justice, and social change look to Paulo Freire to provide insight into how and why education systems may determine life experiences at every level of humanity. This chapter provides a brief overview of Paulo Freire’s life and includes a discussion on his philosophical and pedagogical development, his most influential writings, and how scholars like Gloria Ladson-Billings and bell hooks have relied on his pedagogy in their own work. This chapter also examines how his philosophy continues to shape conversations in education today.