Compassion and Education (PDF)

Andrew Peterson is Professor of Civic and Moral Education at Canterbury Christ Church University, UK, and Adjunct Professor of Education at the University of South Australia. His is co-editor of Civics and Citizenship Education in Australia: Challenges, Practices and International Perspectives and The Palgrave International Handbook of Education for Citizenship and Social Justice.

“The theoretical section of this book offers a very careful and helpful analysis of one of the virtues we ought to be seeking to develop in students. … Peterson’s arguments are sound, and would prove very useful for anyone seeking to construct a program that aimed, among the other virtues, at strengthening children’s compassion.” (Tim Sprod, childhood & philosophy, Vol. 14 (29), 2018)“Book is very well-written in a contemplative and engaging style. … School Principals and members of their leadership teams would find much of value to draw from this publication in devising whole-school approaches to enhancing relationships in schools. Andrew Peterson makes a valued contribution to new ways of thinking about compassion as a significant human virtue in the education of young people and by considering its place in their moral education. All educators will find something worthwhile in this book.” (Deborah Henderson, Curriculum Perspectives, Vol. 37 (2), September, 2017)



“This is a fine book and a welcome addition to recent discussions on virtue and character education in educational theory and practice. … Compassion and Education offers an interesting read through the clever way in which it combines philosophical analysis with empirical evidence, interlaced with examples from current events and great stories that illuminate something about compassion.” (Wouter Sanderse, Journal of Beliefs & Values, September, 2017)