The Philosophy of Education Vol. 6 Book II Ch 4

Pt. 1 Knowledge

There seemed to be no lack of zeal in the teaching profession during Charlotte’s day but she felt that the tendency of the profession was to depreciate true knowledge and in doing so, depreciate the student. She says “knowledge is the material of education as flour is to bread.” She gives an example of a little girl who was given a small amount of money to purchase lunch for her and her sister before school. She purchased candy instead of a bun. She told her teacher that candy, which cost less, would fill her stomach more than a small roll. That is what we have done with knowledge- we have substituted marks, grades, and facts and figures. Our tendency, as in Charlotte’s day, is to educated the child to what he will become in life not expose him to all subjects. The person who, by using knowledge he has gained to entertain himself rather than depend on “forms of entertainment” is to be envied. Knowledge is not: instruction, information, or a well-stored memory. It is passed like a torch from mind to mind. One thought breeds another. As one “vital” thought touches our minds our ideas become vital and out of these ideas come our conduct of life. If we want to know if what we are teaching provides enough “intellectual Sustenance” look at the book list we are using. For example: if the list is short there will not be enough mind-stuff, if they are not various- the student will not be well rounded. If they are compiled 2nd hand and not original works not enough material will be given. If they are too easy and direct and tell him everything he should think- they will read them but not appropriate. Great examples of how to teach are the parables of Jesus. Everything wasn’t all spelled out- you have to think about them. Napoleon is sited as not being a great scholar, however he read diligently from great historical works which attributed to his success as a conqueror. While on the other hand Queen Louisa of Prussia said the down fall of her country “was not due to Napoleon alone, but also to national ignorance and that if Prussia were to rise it must be through the study of history.” As a result, the Prussians turned their education system around to focus on great minds of history and Queen Louisa’s son rose to power establish the German Empire.