Non-formal Education and Otto Neurath's Thought in Context

The Austrian scholar Otto Neurath is well known for his contributions to philosophy of science and visual communication, but his work in education is less well-known. This paper outlines the biographical development of Neurath's educational work within his historical context and his broader intellectual development, tracking his move from academic research in economics to his work as an activist and public educator in "Red Vienna" during the interwar period. The paper furthermore examines how his work differs from contemporary views of non-formal education, such as that advanced by Cedefop's 2015 report on non-formal education validation, and outlines how Neurath's approach is still relevant to educators today.