Paulo Freire's educational philosophy was informed by his upbringing in Brazil, where he experienced poverty and societal injustices. His early interactions with marginalized communities instilled a strong sense of social responsibility and the importance of education as a tool for empowerment. The poverty he witnessed inspired Freire's belief in a dialogic method of learning, whereby education must be a critical and interactive process. His time spent in prison during the military dictatorship further reinforced his views on oppression and the necessity of liberation through education.