Jeśli pedagogika jest na serio – to jest krytyczna
IF PEDAGOGY IS SERIOUS – THEN IT IS CRITICAL

Summary/Abstract: The article provides a summary of Lech Witkowski’s achievements in introducing the reflections and theses of the co-creators of critical pedagogy, in particular Henry Giroux, into Polish pedagogy. A more detailed analysis is provided of the section entitled “Education in the face of the challenge of democracy. Lech Witkowski’s conversation with Henry A. Giroux” from the monograph 'Education and the public sphere. Ideas and experiences of radical pedagogy' (2012). In his interview with Giroux, Witkowski asks questions that are key to the identity of pedagogy, such as the nature of criticism, the non-authoritarian nature of pedagogical theory and practice, the subjectivity of educators and students, and civic engagement. Also crucial is the reflection on the scope of the radicalisation of pedagogy and the category of struggle resulting from the concern and responsibility of pedagogy and education. The interlocutors discuss the concepts of the public intellectual and the transformative intellectual, which are key to critical pedagogy. Teachers carry out an important public mission in schools, which should be a public sphere where the struggle against all forms of oppression takes place. The questions raised by Witkowski after 35 years of socio-political transformation in Poland seem surprisingly relevant today.

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