Ethics and Pedagogy: Reflections on Pygmalion

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: This paper focuses on the interpretation of the books and the film that inspired this research, highlighting its critical content that can apply for the educational context of the Bachelor of Preschool Education, Primary Education, and Pedagogy. As a starting point, we take the classical myth of Pygmalion, firstly recorded by the Latin poet Ovid, and we will also analyse the theatre play by George Bernard Shaw and the film based upon this myth, to reflect on educational practices from the point of view of pedagogy and moral philosophy. METHODOLOGY: By means of a content analysis of the texts and the film above mentioned, some basic concepts in education will be addressed. The chosen methodology, qualitative in this case, has been mainly based on the review of primary and secondary sources, and on a critical selection on the most relevant aspects which can support teacher training and self-awareness of teaching practices. DISCUSSION: This paper concludes with a section that summarizes the main considerations and reflections derived from the content analysis carried out in the previous sections.