Abstract

This dissertation examines Miguel de Unamuno´s notions on philosophy, education, and the human-being. I will explore Unamuno´s conception of the aim and significance of philosophy and how to reach them. I will then use Unamuno´s philosophical tools that is, mono-dialogue, metaphor, story, contradiction and repetition, to investigate the landscape of contemporary Finnish education. Unamuno considers philosophy as a human being’s complete understanding of the world. For him the human being is both the purpose and the starting point that is best understood as a living verb: a person who is born, suffers, dies, feels, thinks, yearns, struggles, dreams, and loves. Ultimately, concrete and conscious persons of ”blood and bone” will defy any definitions, classifications and abstractions. Philosophy approaches the truth with poetry, by generating a new language with which to create reality. This study builds on facto-fictional stories about Finnish education as well as the metaphors of journey and landscape. It is a dialogue between me, Unamuno’s texts, research, and the public debate on Finnish education. Philosophy, life, the human, and education are all in an insoluble, dynamic contradition. This constant tension that enables life and human existence lies at the heart of both philosophy and education. In Unamunos view, the education of a living human being cannot be based on pedagogical theories or systems. Instead, it requires the educator’s authentic and compassionate love. This educational love seeks to minimize the other´s suffering and inable the educatee become the best possible self. The changes in the Finnish landscape of education, the global economy, sustainable development and justice are among the themes discudssed in terms of Unamuno´s philosophy in this study. Miguel de Unamuno’s philosophy of education can be summarised as follows: We cannot disregard the human being in neither the educatees nor educators. We must teach a language for dreaming, the will to hope and we must do so lovingly. We must travel beside the future human beings and embrace the contradiction of human existence.