Philosopher: Jean-Jacques Rousseau; education
Jean-Jacques Rousseau believed that education should be carried out by allowing each individual child to develop at their own natural capacities through autonomous discovery. This directly contrasts with the modern model of education. His philosophy was that humans are born inherently good. As children grow both society and surrounding culture corrupt children, especially in the public school system.
According to Rousseau there are three teachers, Nature, Things, and Man. All three teachers need to be synchronized for one to achieve harmony. Humans cannot control Nature and overall have little control over things; therefore, Nature is the master teacher. Rousseau views are that with Nature, absolutes exist. The example Rousseau uses is “trees always grow vertically. Although a man may argue that he has witnessed a tree growing horizontally from the side of a mountain, or even surmise that he himself altered the nature of the tree by planting it on the side of the mountain, in due time Nature will bend the tree, and the man’s illusion of control, to its
will. (Realizing The Natural Self: Rousseau And The Current System Of Education).”
Rousseau’s believed that Nature is the Master of Education because Nature is what gives life to humanity and the tools to survive, especially in children and infants. As children mature and enter adulthood society makes humans think that control is in the hand of humanity. But in Rousseau’s words this is just an “attempt by humans to feed on the unnatural sustenance of control that leaves them starving for something more” (Realizing The Natural Self: Rousseau And The Current System Of Education).
Children need to be connected with nature for their own well-being. But modern society disrupts this connection with nature with formal education. The United States has standardized formal education and has nothing to do with connecting with nature. The formal educational system attempts to control one’s natural environment and urges to make sure that individual economic gain is achieved. For an individual human being this creates a illusion of control that rests solely on the manipulation of one’s actions. In society, controlling the future would require all members of society to act in a very predictable pattern in a controlled and predictable environment.
Rousseau’s argument is that to have a proper education, one does not include constructs. Constructs created by humans are only created to control other humans. A proper education allows Nature to teach humans according to their nature. Rousseau believes that it should start from infancy. The way an infant or child would develop would be at their own pace, through their own exploration and play. Instead of being forced to learn through a set curriculum and formal instruction. Children's own natural curiosity and desire should be encouraged, and when encouraged they will learn.
Rousseau argued that a formal education should not be enforced until the child is at least twelve years old. Any children under twelve should explore their own interests freely and learn only what interests them. One key principle of Rousseau’s philosophy of education was negative education, or sometimes referred to as “un education”. Negative education is defined as “the idea that children should be allowed to learn through their own experiences and exploration, rather than being taught by an authority figure. (Rousseau’s Philosophy of Education: Key Concepts)
During this time of natural development natural abilities should be the childs main focuses in their education. Education should be a combination of physical, emotional, and intellectual abilities. Rousseau believed that all abilities are important in a child’s education and development. Being physically fit is just as important as being intellectually sound. Just like how it’s important for children to learn how to regulate their emotions and know how to interact with others in a respectful and healthy way.
Rousseau’s idea of a formal education after twelve is that of a program with a tutor that is “of acquisition of abstract skills and concepts. This is not done with the use of books or formal lessons, but rather through practical experience.” (Jean-Jacques Rousseau).
The third phase being a phase of education on puberty and early adulthood. Then lastly the fourth phase being that the tutor changes from a “manipulator of the child’s environment into the adult’s trusted advisor” (Jean-Jacques Rousseau).
Rousseau based his philosophy of education off of his belief that humans are inherently good when they are young. It is this formal educational society and culture that corrupts humans. His idea of education was one that focused on developing one’s natural goodness and allowing humans to freely develop their own interests instead of societal expectations being forced upon humans.
Rousseau has some extreme philosophies when it comes to education. Often describing schools to be a overly save environment where nature is destroyed and seen as a danger that needs to be controlled. He argues that this is completely wrong and not an environment that children should be educated in. Because this education just teaches children to repeat what they are told to memorize. Memorizing information alone does not mean that the knowledge is learned. You can only learn something through personal experience and interest.
Personally, extremes aside I do agree with most of Rousseau philosophy. I do believe that there is a disconnect between humans and nature. I also believe that the modern public education system is not a good system. Often times schools will preach that children are all unique, different, and special in their own way. But then turn around and have all teachers teach the same way in every classroom. Leaving no room for creative learning for those who learn at different levels and paces.
I know that some schools try to keep programs such as workshops, music, or even some sports in the spirit of having different classrooms where students that thrive in an environment where they can learn hands on at their own pace can learn. But that is not the case in most schools.
The one problem I have with this philosophy is that I believe that it relies on parents. Realistically in the modern world not everyone has the financial stability, time, or knowledge to give their children this type of education. Public school is the only option for most families, for this philosophy to work society as a whole would need to focus and support individual families, and that is not possible.
Although I agree with the philosophy and believe in theory it would work. I do believe that some individual families might practice this or could if they wanted to. I do not believe that this type of education would work as a whole society.
Work Cited
Admin, Admin. “Rousseau’s Philosophy of Education: Key Concepts — Philo-Notes.” PHILO, 24 Mar. 2023, philonotes.com/2023/03/rousseaus-philosophy-of-education-key-concepts.
Bertram, Christopher. “Jean Jacques Rousseau.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Stanford University, 21 Apr. 2023, plato.stanford.edu/entries/rousseau/#IdeaGeneWill.
Realizing the Natural Self: Rousseau and the Current System of … — Ed, files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1000297.pdf. Accessed 30 Aug. 2023.
