Tudor school-boy life: the dialogues of Juan Luis Vives (eBook)

Juan Luis Vives (1492/1493 – May 6, 1540) was a Spanish humanist and educational theorist who made significant contributions to Renaissance thought. Vives was born in Valencia, Spain but spent the greater part of his professional life in Bruges and then England. He was a contemporary of Erasmus and Thomas More, collaborating with them in the reformation of the Humanities. Vives advocated for the education of women and emphasized the importance of practical life skills alongside academic learning. His pedagogical ideas were innovative for the time and have had a lasting impact on educational theory. Among his numerous works, 'Tudor School-Boy Life: The Dialogues of Juan Luis Vives' displays his scholarly interest in the theory and practice of education. In this collection of dialogues, Vives provides insights into the Tudor period's education system, and his narrative serves as an exemplar of humanistic pedagogy. Notably, Vives' dialogues draw upon everyday situations to teach moral and intellectual virtues, making his work a precursor to modern educational techniques that advocate for experiential learning. Vives' literary style embodies the spirit of the Renaissance; it is marked by erudition, the use of Classical references, and a conviction in the moral purpose of education. His treatises, dialogues, letters, and prefaces contributed significantly to the discourse on social reform and the humanist movement during the 16th century. His works remain a subject of study for scholars interested in Renaissance humanism, educational history, and philosophy.