Honesty: What it means and how to teach it

Honesty: What it means and how to teach it

Author: Ethical Schools March 29, 2025 Duration: 37:21

We talk with Sarah Stitzlein, author of "Teaching honesty in a populist era: Emphasizing truth in the education of citizens." Dr. Stitzlein, a professor of education and affiliate professor of philosophy at the University of Cincinnati, is concerned with how to teach in a political context where truth and honesty seem increasingly at risk. She contrasts the philosophical approaches of populism and the pragmatism of educational philosophers such as John Dewey. 

Overview

00:00-00:41 Intros

00:41-02:10 Why the book and the title

02:10-03:15 Defining populism

03:15-04:24 Differences between left and right populism—book is mostly about right populism

O4:24-08:00 Contrasting populist and pragmatic notions of truth and honesty

08:00-09:55 Defining honesty, and what it looks like in a classroom context

09:55-11:59 Honesty as a habit, not just a virtue

11:59-13:13 Is there a difference between truth and reality?

13:13-15:36 A truth claim in an educational context

15:36-16:49 Doing honesty as a verb

16:49-21:15 Seeking truth versus seeking solutions

21:15-23:20 “Alternative facts”

23:20-24:22 Philosophy, ethics, and education

24:22-25:58 From honesty in the classroom to honesty in the wider world

25:58-27:41 Scalability

27:41-29:30 Ethical outlook on civics

29:3o-31:40 Connections between democracy and education

31:40-35:56 Impact of AI

35:56- Outro

Transcript

Click here to see the full transcript of this episode. 

References

Book "Teaching Honesty in a Populist Era: Emphasizing Truth in the Education of Citizens" By Sarah Stitzlein 

Soundtrack by Poddington Bear


Conversations about education often focus on test scores and curriculum, but there’s a deeper layer that truly shapes a student’s experience. Ethical Schools digs into that layer, exploring what it means to build a learning community grounded in integrity and care. Each week, hosts Amy and Jon sit down with educators and innovators who are actively reimagining schools. You’ll hear specific, grounded discussions about the practical work of creating environments where every student feels safe and respected. The dialogue frequently addresses how to support young people dealing with trauma, moving beyond theory to share actionable strategies that teachers are using right now. More than just problem-solving, this podcast highlights how to empower students themselves to become advocates and changemakers in their own communities. It’s a series that connects philosophy with daily practice, looking at the social and cultural structures within schools through a lens of ethics. For anyone invested in the future of education-whether you’re a teacher, administrator, or simply a concerned community member-this podcast offers a thoughtful and necessary perspective on the foundational values that make education meaningful.
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