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ix Acknowledgments This book could never have been published without the support and kind regard shown toward me by the fine people at SUNY Press, and Beth Bouloukos in particular. Special thanks are also due to the editors at Paideusis, the Journal of Educational Thought, the Canadian Journal of Education, and Springer Journals for providing permissions to publish portions of this work in earlier forms. This book could never have been written except for the love and support of a number of wonderful people. I have always felt greatly indebted to my grade 2 and 3 teacher, Mrs. Aileen Haviland, who made me feel special and gave me a confidence in school that I have carried ever since. My grandfather, John A. Steel, provided me with the most excellent example of deep thoughtfulness and character; it was on his farm that I learned about and felt “cosmos” in things; and it was his library at the top of the stairs (which included a copy of Plato!) that first inspired me to show a great reverence for books and learning. Of course, I must also thank my dad, Doug Steel, for teaching me about the value of work, and for always supporting me financially, even well into my adulthood, so that I could pursue my studies. And it would not have been possible for me to finish this book without the kind help of both my mom, Sylvia Steel, as well as my mother‑in‑law, Donna Kelly; both have sacrificed tremendous amounts of time so that I could work relatively undisturbed. I also wish to thank Dr. Barry Cooper for being my teacher here in Calgary, for writing such good books, as well as for being the teacher of my own teacher in Hamilton, Dr. Zdravko Planinc; it was Professor Planinc who first taught me what philosophy looks like and feels like, and it was he who taught me how to read and appreciate Plato. I owe him a great debt. I would especially like to thank my PhD supervisor, Dr. Ian Winchester, for always being so supportive and thoughtful throughout this entire process, as well as during my BEd. Never before have I met a professor who demonstrated such consideration toward me, and without his kind encouragement, I would not have had the nerve to complete this study. A very special thank you must also be given to my long‑time childhood friend, poet, and artist, Amber Homeniuk, who with her army of hens, supplied the fine x Acknowledgments psyanky artwork for the front cover of this book. Finally, and most important of all the people to whom I owe a debt of gratitude, I must thank my wife, Rebekah Whiteley. You have been a great teacher to me. I love you, and I am thankful for all the gifts you have given me: for your patience, your kindness, your love and compassion, and your forgiveness. Without you I would have none of the good things that I currently enjoy. You are truly my bodhisattva. ...

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