Comparative Education: Epistemological and Operational Relevance

Abstract

Comparative Education is not precisely a curricular discipline, but a method to disentangle reality, gauging pedagogical systems from the didactical and institutional point of view. Through the discrepancies, peculiarities and similarities it leads to understanding and provides resources for the improvement of the gauged structures. On one side it makes use of Sociology and on the other of Philosophy. Normally, the studies of the subject did not carry out an epistemological approach, opting for the pure and simple application of the method. Thus, it becomes priority to develop research about Comparative Education in Latin America, due to the advance in Latin American integration. The implementation of the comparative method comprises various aspects of analysis. The principle of comparison emanates from otherness, projecting light on the disparities and similarities. Efforts toward studies of Comparative Education are urgently needed, being as Latin American nations can greatly gain with the educational advances of the others, especially considering the conjuncture of globalization which is now in process.

Recebido em: 01/09/2015.
Aprovado em: 28/11/2016.