Teaching Truth and Honesty in a Divided America

Class is in session: Philosopher and educator Dr. Sarah Stitzlein discusses the challenge for educators to cultivate democratic values in a polarized society on Busted Pencils

It’s a topic deeply connected to today’s political climate and a divided America. How to teach truth and honesty to cultivate democratic values. Dr. Sarah Stitzlein is the co-editor of Democracy and Education and past president of both the Ohio Valley Philosophy of Education Society and the John Dewey Society. She recently joined Busted Pencils host Dr. Tim Slekar to talk about the importance of truth in civic education.

Slekar and Stitzlein tackle the difficult discussion about fostering honestly particularly as political campaigns are ramped up across the country. And Stitzlein believes it’s not enough to wag fingers at those perpetuating lies. Educators must focus on showing students why honesty is essential for democracy.

“When falsehoods are amplified, the consequences are real,” Stitzlein explains. “We need to shift from pointing out dishonesty to demonstrating the dangers it poses to civic life.”

Stitzlein says educators are facing unique pressures during election seasons as the divide between fact and fiction grows wider. But she remains hopeful and believes the classroom can be a space where students learn to sift through controversies and find truth. She also encourages teachers not to shy away from a difficult conversation but to embrace it as an opportunity to prepare students for active and informed participation in democracy.

In her latest book, Teaching Honesty in a Populist Era, Stitzlein tells Slekar it underscores the idea that truth-seeking is a collective effort. And she believes honesty isn’t just a  moral virtue, but a civic necessity.  

“It’s not always about finding objective truth,” she says. “But through inquiry and collaboration, we can reach more accurate, fair representations of our world.”