Topic > The Development of Bertrand Russell's Theory of Education

Education is the root of our society. Education builds a man. Liberality, tolerance, patience: these are generated through education. That is why every sensible person gives priority to the education system. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get Original Essay Bertrand Arthur William Russell, one of the contemporary philosophers, also offers his views on the education system. Russell was also a moral as well as an analytical philosopher. His moral philosophy is one in which he opposed the repression of freedom. He was too concerned about human freedom because he thought that without freedom, personal development would not be possible. And in his educational theory, which manifested itself in the light of his ethical theory, he repeatedly emphasized great importance for personal development. Philosophers like Russell are not only theory makers but also social reformers. Their theories impress society. And Russell's point of view was also haunted, which had a great impact on society. Russell was an open-minded philosopher. He opposed any type of obligation imposed by authority on man. He thought that sometimes obligation makes people limited and this becomes a burden for them. Fundamentally Russell was an unorthodox thinker. He has always accepted changes according to the needs of the time. He thought society was an ever-evolving formation; therefore if man did not change his vision according to society he would be treated as a barbarian. And to change his point of view, man needs sufficient freedom, which gives him the strength to analyze between right and wrong and helps him to determine the right one. And through these freedoms and changes the overall development of society is possible. And before social development, personal development is one of the mandatory conditions. And education is the first step through which this development can be possible. A perfect man is a precious gift for our society. So it is our duty to make a child not like a machine but like a rational being so that he can make decisions rationally. Russell's point of view made it clear that it is our responsibility to make a child capable in how he can distinguish between right and wrong, he can understand what would be appropriate in that specific situation. Fundamentally education is that kind of thing through which morality is built in a child or pupil who is the social being of the future. Thus, according to Russell, education means not only learning to adapt into the classical vision what is given by such authority, but through the means of education man can understand his true duty or responsibility and can be the judge of his own decision. So from this point of view it is clear that Russell was one of the modifiers who wanted to change the orthodox social system that forcibly imposed rules or norms on man. And through education he wanted to modify the classical system. That's why he placed a lot of importance on personal development. "On Education", Russell's brilliant and timeless work, in which he represented some important regions of education. I will now cover these topics. First, I will highlight the responsibility of teachers in education. Responsibilities of Teachers The main purpose of education is to develop the intellect and character of pupils. Only through education can a type of conscious and superior individual be created. According to Russell, if the teacher is not understanding and loving towards the student, the student's intelligence and character cannot be developed. No man could bea good teacher if he did not have feelings of warm affection towards his students. Teachers who have genuine sympathy and awareness of students' well-being can only adopt appropriate teaching methods. And the teacher must treat the students seriously even if they are small. The teacher must give them responsibility, talk to them sincerely, provide them with privacy and solitude and make them sufficient readers and thinkers of thoughts from the beginning. And this only if the teacher seriously wants to become a responsible social being. After the responsibility of the teacher comes the nature of education. Russell writes: 'Education is, as a rule, the most powerful force on the side of what exists and against fundamental change. According to Russell, education makes students capable of thinking, allows them to intelligently choose between two points of view that they want to accept. Education as a political weapon could not exist if we respect children's rights. If we respect the rights of children, we should educate them so as to provide them with the knowledge and habits of mind necessary to cultivate independent opinions. In the essay 'The Place of Science in Liberal Education', Russell defines education 'as training by the teaching of certain habits of mind and of a certain view of life and the world'. The State wants an obedient citizen, the Church wants good saints therefore every authority wants a man who can easily accept the given rules and can easily adapt to them. But it is not fruitful for a child because here his real existence is ignored. In “Liberty and Organization, 1814-194,” in “Marriage and Morals,” Russell repeatedly spoke of changing social thinking. Russell defined that education for change can give a better education. This view of Russell shows that he admitted conformism as the grave of intelligence and in this respect the orthodoxy of a radical is no better than that of the reactionary. Russell took four characteristics which seemed to him together to form the basis of an ideal character. These four are vitality, courage, sensitivity and intelligence. According to Russell, although vitality is a physical trait, it largely shapes our mental state and stamina. Russell suggested that vitality is a more physical than mental characteristic; it is presumably always present where there is perfect health, but it tends to decrease with advancing years and to gradually reduce until it disappears in old age. In vigorous children it rapidly reaches a maximum before school age and then tends to decline with education. Where it exists, there is the pleasure of feeling alive, regardless of any specific pleasant circumstances. It increases pleasures and decreases pains. It makes it easy to care about whatever happens and promotes the objectivity that is an essential element of sanity. Human beings tend to become self-absorbed, unable to care about what they see and hear or anything outside their own skin. Vitality promotes interest in the outside world; it also promotes the power of hard work. The second characteristic on the list of ingredients of our ideal character is courage. In a discussion of courage, Russell gives us a clear view of courage. This quality has two parts. The first Russell called fearlessness. So the second aspect of courage concerns the ability to understand one's limits. Many people suffer from fear, either consciously or unconsciously and without any reasonable reason. Through education fear should be removed from children's minds. Russell suggested that men and women should be educated so that they can lead a fearless life. In any case, fear must be overcome. Fear.