Philosophy is vital to the study of education, and a sound knowledge of different philosophical perspectives leads to a deeper engagement with the choices and commitments made within educational practice. This text provides a core understanding of philosophical concepts by introducing key thinkers in the context of wider themes and frameworks. It then creates meaningful connections between theories and links them to different aspects of, and perspectives on, education. Accessibly written, the book carefully analyses the common assumptions and conflicted history of education, provoking questioning about its nature and purposes. Thinking critically about education in this way will give students on undergraduate Education Studies degrees, initial teacher education and Masters-level courses a fuller command of their own role and practice.