Philosophy reborn from its ashes: the draft of the Organic Law of Education (LOE)

Abstract

This paper critically analyzes the process of drafting the Organic Law of Education promoted by the Spanish Government from 2004 onwards and its consequences for the teaching of philosophy. The article reconstructs the sequence of educational reforms introduced after 2004, from the suspension of the previous LOCE legislation to the presentation of the LOE draft bill, emphasizing the instability generated by continual legislative changes. The central focus is the perceived weakening of philosophy within secondary education, particularly through the reduction of Philosophy and the disappearance of Ethics as common compulsory subjects. These subjects were to be partially replaced by «Education for Citizenship» and «Science for the Contemporary World». Arroyo analyses the reactions of teachers, philosophical associations, university faculties, and professional organizations, all of which defended philosophy as an essential discipline for critical thinking and democratic citizenship. The article ultimately argues for the preservation of philosophy as a fundamental component of intellectual and civic education.