Cosmic education in the context of integrative bioethics

Abstract

https://doi.org/10.21860/j.13.1.4

The founder of the Montessori method and philosophy, Maria Montessori, developed within it the so-called Cosmic Education which is considered a central part of her teaching. Cosmic education originated in the difficult times of human history as hope and answer for a better future for humanity and is based on an understanding of the interconnectedness of humanity with nature and all living and non-living worlds. At the centre of Cosmic Education, as well as at the centre of the entire Montessori method, is a child who needs to be taught the responsibilities of his actions toward the planet and all living beings in order for the human being to fulfil the cosmic task assigned to each of us. The path to the realization of the cosmic task, among other things, consists of the so-called great (cosmic) stories that are told to young children as a basis for understanding the functioning of the world and motivation for further learning and research. The goals and objectives of Montessori Cosmic Education correspond to the goals of integrative bioethics, which is manifested through a common desire to respond to critical problems of humanity and the planet such as climate change, endangerment of flora and fauna and the very threat of human existence in the future. The article will present the basic ideas of cosmic education as conceived by Maria Montessori and compare cosmic education with bioethical sensibility.