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This paper deals with the role that the impact with reality has in educational action and, in particular, the need to take into account the «face» of the other, especially when he resists our proposals and the educator has to take on the ethical responsibility deriving from such a situation. In this perspective, some of the suggestions of J. Rawls to take into account a reasonableness principle are considered. Then, the position of the «Gestalt» psychologists on the development of cultural, esthetic and moral values, as well as the educational consequences, are described. Finally, on the basis of the theory of capabilities of A. Sen and M. Nussbaum, the educational importance of the conversational theory of G. Pask and D. Laurillard, and the role of feedback, whether positive or negative in the learning process, is considered. The conclusion is that the impact with reality can be a source of new and better perspectives and procedures for educational action.

Recently there has been a wide debate on the role of so-called noncognitive skills, a misnomer for the personal skills needed to cope positively with personal, social and professional life. In this contribution an attempt is made to clarify their meaning, prospect their development and possible evaluation. Reference is made in this framework mainly to the world of work, in which they are more specifically referred to as soft skills.   Sulle competenze, e in particolare su quelle personali dette spesso soft skills: il loro ruolo nel mondo del lavoro. Recentemente si è sviluppato un ampio dibattito sul ruolo delle cosiddette competenze non cognitive, espressione impropria per indicare le competenze personali necessarie per affrontare positivamente la vita personale, sociale e professionale. In questo contributo si cerca di chiarire il loro significato, prospettare un loro sviluppo e una loro possibile valutazione. Si fa riferimento in questo quadro soprattutto al mondo del lavoro, nel quale esse sono più specificatamente denominate soft skills.

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