Mothering a gift of God: How Edith Stein’s theology of education opposes the technocratic paradigm

As the field of education is increasingly influenced by AI technologies, it becomes difficult to ascertain whether teaching methods are adequately cultivating human capacities fully. The technocratic paradigm can permit a utilitarian vision of education that overlooks personal vocation and perpetuates a distorted vision of where we encounter her vision for education, the essential nature of woman is characterized as having qualities that present a direct contrast to the features of the technocratic paradigm. Though Stein does not herself use the term technocraticparadigm, her description of the vices and structures that challenge the formation of women parallel the problems caused by the technocratic paradigm, such as a failure torecognize the truth of creation, reductionism, and a lack of care for creation integrally understood. The gifts and virtues of women’s souls can be seen as a counter to the dangers of a technocratic era ‒ and perhaps by extension, a key to redeeming technology to a proper relationship with humanity, the created world, and the divine. This paper will first demonstrate the connections between Pope Francis’s portrayal of the technocratic paradigm from his encyclical Laudato Si’ and the threats and challenges to true education as described by Stein. Then, features of feminine nature that contrast with the technocratic paradigm will be described. Finally, suggestions are offered for a pedagogical approach that forms both men and women toward relationship with God rather than according to technocratic aims. Ultimately, Stein’s educational insights challenge a technocratic educational system and help students to unfold their authentic selves as gifts from God.