Searching for the Origins of Schwab's Deliberative Curriculum Theory in the Thoughts of Aristotle, Dewey and Habermas

The main purpose of this study is exploring the roots and foundations of Schwab’s deliberative theory in curriculum. Therefore, after examining this theory in introduction, its foundations and origins were investigated. According to this, basic assumptions of this theory are practical and quasi practical arts, eclectic arts, commonplace and collective decision. Aristotle’s distinction between intellectual and moral virtues, knowledge categories and learning by doing are among the most important origins of Schwab’s’ theory. Distinction between theoretical and practical in Dewey’s ideas, his viewpoints on thinking along with pluralism are the essential foundations to evolution of Schwab’s theory. On the other hand, Haberma’s instrumental – communicative dualism, dialogue between commonplaces to achieve the goals and dialogue conditions and also decision making in micro level based on the communicative rationality, have some important implications for Schwab’s deliberative theory in curriculum.