The philosophical and educational ideas of latin american positivism: education for citizenship

Abstract

The constitution of the nations in Latin America at the beginning of the XIX century is here considered as going along with the transformation of the old subjects into the new citizens. The analysis of the conditions that made this event possible shows as main factors thereof the introduction of positivism and its akin liberal theories, so much as the struggle for the recognition of labour as a condition of citizenship. In this connection the study deals with the reception in Latin America of positivistic ideas such as freedom, law, common good, altruism, etc.