The Role of Individualism in Education

I realize after reading the various articles which explore the purpose of education, what the content of education should be and who should receive it, I have a strong value system that influences what I think is important. The development of the individual and maximizing that person’s capability is the prime importance. No one set of education system, set of courses of study, or prescribed determination of population that should receive liberal or mechanical education, is optimal.

Exposing individuals to the truth of the world is the only way educating can change the world for better. Plato’s cave analogy points to this. “Education isn’t…putting knowledge into souls that lack it, like putting sight into blind eyes.” At another point he refers to the effective educator as turning the entire body toward truth. Plato explains that it is the leaders responsibility to go back in the cave and educate. In Aristotle’s article that education of the youth should be used to mold the society into what the government wants. He proposed one public education, which is the same for all. I don’t believe that a “one size fits all” approach can possible attain the quest for truth which education is to promote.

These articles also demonstrated the struggle in determining what courses should be included in education. Ultimately I agreed with the philosophy in Feinberg’s article regarding parents raising their children. I think it also applies to education. The parents are to give children opportunities and exposure to a wide variety of areas and exposure. Then according to the child’s interest and temperament, they will choose which careers and further education they will choose. This will provide the best results in today’s society. Plato’s use of the summoner and Aristotle’s determination that music is good for pleasure are just examples or artificial reasoning determined what knowledge is sought. . Expose individuals to the basics in music, reading, writing and arithmetic and let the individual interest determine how far the education goes.

The division of liberal versus mechanical education divides knowledge learned for the pure sake of the search for truth and knowledge derived for practical purposes. Each system of education addresses the needs of two different populations. I think both the education and populations are becoming unified and blended. As our population becomes more educated workers apply all sorts of knowledge into their practical skills. The use of science in farming has changed production forever. Since I have the ability to read and write I have continued my education in many areas such as finance and psychology that I use in the management of my household.. Dewey says that an education that unifies its members also unifies the society. I believe that this is happening in America today; our education system that empowers the individual is responsible for a country in which people can change economic and social class.