The Aims of Education and Other Essays

Thegeneraltopicofthisvolumeiseducationonitsintellectualside.Onemainidearunsthroughthevariouschapters,andisillustratedinthemfrommanypointsofview.Itcanbestatedbrieflythus:Thestudentsarealive,andthepurposeofeducationistostimulateandguidetheirself-development.Itfollowsasacorollaryfromthispremiss,thattheteachersalsoshouldbealivewithlivingthoughts.Thewholebookisaprotestagainstdeadknowledge,thatistosay,againstinertideas.Theseparatechaptershave,withtheexceptionofChapterIX,beendeliveredasaddressesatvariousconferencesofeducationalbodiesandofscientificsocieties.Theyaretheoutcomeofpracticalexperience,reflectionsonthepracticeofeducationandsomecriticismsonthemeaningofthetopicsconstitutingitscontent.