Book Reviews: Breaking Out, Breaking In: Conversing About Philosophy and Teacher Education
Abstract
Although this volume represents a contribution to the developing field of service as an element in education and in human development, it is one more starting point in what will be a continuing conversation for a long time. That conversation might well derive its impetus from Radest's discussion of "Altruism and Ego": Given the conditions which are normal to our society, altruism is a threat to our claimed values. We may be many things--conformists or do-gooders, kindly or cooperative--but we celebrate ego and competition as the heart of virtue Yet, . . .in some sense of other, there is a capacity in us of doing for another just as there is a capacity in us of recognizing that this is being done. Altruism seems to be exhibited in fact. (p. 127) Or finally, speaking again as an advocate, Radest concludes: Because community service is worth advocating only as it becomes a critical instrument of personal and social conduct, it is likely that its popularity will fade just as it is doing its work. After all, the passion and the knowledge that are aroused in the exchange of doer and done-to can be very troubling to a status quo,