Educating for compassion and mutual accommodation

Abstract

Macdonald (2020) argues that there are four pillars of civilization- freedom, science and technology, mutual accommodation and compassion. The emphasis in the West since the Renaissance has been on freedom and science. The latter two pillars are needed if civilization is to thrive. In contrast to many countries where nativism, authoritarianism, and populism is manifest, Canada has been able to engage in mutual accommodation so that Quebec did not separate and is “unique among Western nations in the absence of seriously poisoned immigration politics”. The paper outlines ways to educate for mutual accommodation and compassion and describes two schools in Toronto that demonstrate these practices.