TWENTY-FOUR: EDUCATION AND RESEARCH
1 the Rights of Children
Children's rights to education are crucial, as they rely on adults for guidance and support. While parents usually care for their children's well-being, this doesn't give them the freedom to educate or treat them in any way they choose. Society has an interest in ensuring children receive a minimum level of education because a well-informed population reduces risks and promotes benefits for everyone. For democracy to function, a certain level of literacy is necessary. Education isn’t just about sharing knowledge; it also involves teaching common values that help people coexist peacefully. However, emphasizing shared values can lead to oversimplification, as knowledge alone doesn’t guarantee a better society. The effectiveness of education depends on the context and how individuals understand and use knowledge, rather than simply making information accessible to all.
2 Education and the State
Compulsory education raises important questions about its provision, funding, and the selection of students who may need more support. It is suggested that public funds should cover education costs for families facing financial hardship. Historically, compulsory education succeeded when governments established state schools first, as seen in Prussia in the 18th century. This made it easier to introduce general education, although it is not necessary for the government to manage all educational institutions today.
One influential advocate, Wilhelm von Humboldt, initially opposed public education, believing it limited individual achievements. However, due to national defense needs during the Napoleonic wars, he changed his stance and helped create a government-run education system that influenced future systems globally. While this system improved education levels in Prussia, concerns about centralized control remain. Such control can lead to issues, especially among diverse ethnic and religious groups, as seen in the U.S.
Even in homogeneous states, there are arguments against allowing the government too much control over educational content. Education often involves subjective values rather than strictly scientific questions, leading to risks if a single perspective dominates the system.
3 Government Management and Government Finance
Education has a lot of influence on people, and giving control of this power to one authority can be dangerous. It is important to have different educational choices since we do not fully understand how various teaching methods work. As new psychological techniques develop, they could allow us to shape people's thoughts, which could threaten personal freedom. Using these techniques to create ideal people may not actually improve them compared to those who grow and learn freely. There are now stronger reasons against the government managing schools. Instead, the government could provide vouchers to parents for education, allowing them to choose schools while ensuring that all schools meet basic standards.
4 Education and Equality
Providing education at public expense and deciding who should get advanced education is quite challenging. Advanced education mainly helps a small number of people who will significantly contribute to society. It is hard to know in advance which young people will benefit most from this type of education. Those who do benefit might end up with advantages that are not always based on their abilities or hard work.
The way education is provided can depend on how rich a community is and what it needs. In wealthier areas, the focus might be on keeping children busy until they can start working, rather than just making them more productive. When it comes to funding higher education, the reasons for doing so should be based on how it helps the community as a whole, rather than just the individuals receiving the education.
There is also a risk that if too many educated people cannot find good jobs, it can lead to social issues and problems in society. Therefore, selecting students for advanced education needs to be fair and effective, ensuring that those who are likely to succeed are supported, while also recognizing the unequal benefits that can come from such opportunities.
5 Problems of Higher Education
Higher education is facing important challenges, especially because of the government's focus on equality. While it's important to give educational chances to those who can benefit the most, trying to make everyone have the same results can lead to situations where some students get less funding than they need. This approach could mean that everyone gets only what is available for all students, which may limit the quality of education. As a result, advanced education may be better managed by private institutions instead of being controlled by the government.
It's crucial that no single authority decides how to allocate educational resources or determines which types of education are most important. Education needs to remain diverse, offering different methods to prepare students for a changing world. Moreover, simply aiming for equality ignores the natural talent and ability that some individuals have, which is also a form of advantage.
The goal to ensure every person starts with the same opportunities may not be realistic without limiting chances for others. It is essential to support those with exceptional talents, regardless of their financial background, while understanding that not all valuable skills can be measured through standardized tests. Individual interests and passions, often influenced by family background, greatly affect educational success. Thus, it's important to support families that value education, even if it may seem to create unfair advantages for some students.
6 a New Order of Rank?
Focusing education only on those seen as capable creates a ranking system where people are placed in a hierarchy, from the most intelligent to the least intelligent. This means that only a certain type of person is viewed as deserving of advanced education, which can be unfair. It is suggested that different groups should help their own young members gain access to higher education, reflecting their values. If educational opportunities are only given based on presumed ability, it can lead to feelings of resentment and create a strict social divide. Efforts to provide equal opportunities might actually benefit those who are already advantaged, making inequalities worse rather than better. This system may create a situation where success feels more like a matter of chance rather than fairness.
7 the Universities and Research
The relationship between teaching and research in universities has evolved over time. In the past, especially in the 19th century, universities focused on research, and students learned by engaging directly with scholars. Today, however, many university programs resemble high school education, with fewer opportunities for advanced research. While there is a growing number of graduates, there is concern about the lack of high-quality scholars. The focus on providing access to education for many may hinder original research that pushes the boundaries of knowledge. Traditional research institutions remain crucial because they allow for the exploration of diverse ideas and interdisciplinary collaboration, which are essential for groundbreaking discoveries in fundamental research.
8 Academic Freedom
The idea of academic freedom is important for advancing knowledge effectively. This concept originally developed in European countries, where universities faced political interference. The main point is that research should not be strictly controlled by any single group, including prominent scientists, as this could limit diverse perspectives. Instead, there should be many independent research centers where qualified scientists can choose their own topics and present their findings, even if they do not align with popular opinion. Securing tenure for experienced scientists helps protect them from external pressures. However, tenure should not be given without conditions; individuals who oppose the principles of academic freedom, like Communists, may not deserve it. Overall, while academic freedom is essential, it must be balanced with accountability and institutional standards.
9 the Finance and Organization of Research
It is important to protect schools and research institutions from political or economic influences, especially in social sciences. Pressure against unpopular opinions can be harmful. While direct outside interference has lessened, the growing financial needs of research give funders too much control, which can threaten scientific progress. Some scientists support directing research towards specific goals, which could limit overall advancement. Although certain successful Russian research efforts have sparked renewed interest in organized science, focusing only on current known goals does not mean that knowledge will grow faster. Many significant technological advances come from individual efforts rather than teamwork. This is even more true in basic research, where discoveries are harder to predict. A variety of funding options is key for encouraging original ideas. Having many independent sources of funding is more beneficial than having one controlling authority, allowing researchers to explore different topics. While the current system allows for some donations, tax laws could make it harder for funding to grow in the future. Maintaining freedom in research relies on spreading out control over funds and supporting researchers with diverse interests.
10 “The Development of the Human Individual in Its Richest Diversity”
Freedom is especially important at the edges of our knowledge, where we cannot predict what will happen next. Although freedom is often threatened in these areas, many people stand up to defend it when they recognize a threat. Intellectual freedom relies on a broader foundation of freedoms, and its ultimate goal is to enhance human capacity and knowledge across generations. This growth is tied to moral and aesthetic beliefs, which should not be dictated by any authority but determined through experience. The value of liberty is highlighted when exploring education and research, emphasizing the vital importance of human development in all its diversity.
1 the Rights of Children
Children's rights to education are crucial, as they rely on adults for guidance and support. While parents usually care for their children's well-being, this doesn't give them the freedom to educate or treat them in any way they choose. Society has an interest in ensuring children receive a minimum level of education because a well-informed population reduces risks and promotes benefits for everyone. For democracy to function, a certain level of literacy is necessary. Education isn’t just about sharing knowledge; it also involves teaching common values that help people coexist peacefully. However, emphasizing shared values can lead to oversimplification, as knowledge alone doesn’t guarantee a better society. The effectiveness of education depends on the context and how individuals understand and use knowledge, rather than simply making information accessible to all.
2 Education and the State
Compulsory education raises important questions about its provision, funding, and the selection of students who may need more support. It is suggested that public funds should cover education costs for families facing financial hardship. Historically, compulsory education succeeded when governments established state schools first, as seen in Prussia in the 18th century. This made it easier to introduce general education, although it is not necessary for the government to manage all educational institutions today.
One influential advocate, Wilhelm von Humboldt, initially opposed public education, believing it limited individual achievements. However, due to national defense needs during the Napoleonic wars, he changed his stance and helped create a government-run education system that influenced future systems globally. While this system improved education levels in Prussia, concerns about centralized control remain. Such control can lead to issues, especially among diverse ethnic and religious groups, as seen in the U.S.
Even in homogeneous states, there are arguments against allowing the government too much control over educational content. Education often involves subjective values rather than strictly scientific questions, leading to risks if a single perspective dominates the system.
3 Government Management and Government Finance
Education has a lot of influence on people, and giving control of this power to one authority can be dangerous. It is important to have different educational choices since we do not fully understand how various teaching methods work. As new psychological techniques develop, they could allow us to shape people's thoughts, which could threaten personal freedom. Using these techniques to create ideal people may not actually improve them compared to those who grow and learn freely. There are now stronger reasons against the government managing schools. Instead, the government could provide vouchers to parents for education, allowing them to choose schools while ensuring that all schools meet basic standards.
4 Education and Equality
Providing education at public expense and deciding who should get advanced education is quite challenging. Advanced education mainly helps a small number of people who will significantly contribute to society. It is hard to know in advance which young people will benefit most from this type of education. Those who do benefit might end up with advantages that are not always based on their abilities or hard work.
The way education is provided can depend on how rich a community is and what it needs. In wealthier areas, the focus might be on keeping children busy until they can start working, rather than just making them more productive. When it comes to funding higher education, the reasons for doing so should be based on how it helps the community as a whole, rather than just the individuals receiving the education.
There is also a risk that if too many educated people cannot find good jobs, it can lead to social issues and problems in society. Therefore, selecting students for advanced education needs to be fair and effective, ensuring that those who are likely to succeed are supported, while also recognizing the unequal benefits that can come from such opportunities.
5 Problems of Higher Education
Higher education is facing important challenges, especially because of the government's focus on equality. While it's important to give educational chances to those who can benefit the most, trying to make everyone have the same results can lead to situations where some students get less funding than they need. This approach could mean that everyone gets only what is available for all students, which may limit the quality of education. As a result, advanced education may be better managed by private institutions instead of being controlled by the government.
It's crucial that no single authority decides how to allocate educational resources or determines which types of education are most important. Education needs to remain diverse, offering different methods to prepare students for a changing world. Moreover, simply aiming for equality ignores the natural talent and ability that some individuals have, which is also a form of advantage.
The goal to ensure every person starts with the same opportunities may not be realistic without limiting chances for others. It is essential to support those with exceptional talents, regardless of their financial background, while understanding that not all valuable skills can be measured through standardized tests. Individual interests and passions, often influenced by family background, greatly affect educational success. Thus, it's important to support families that value education, even if it may seem to create unfair advantages for some students.
6 a New Order of Rank?
Focusing education only on those seen as capable creates a ranking system where people are placed in a hierarchy, from the most intelligent to the least intelligent. This means that only a certain type of person is viewed as deserving of advanced education, which can be unfair. It is suggested that different groups should help their own young members gain access to higher education, reflecting their values. If educational opportunities are only given based on presumed ability, it can lead to feelings of resentment and create a strict social divide. Efforts to provide equal opportunities might actually benefit those who are already advantaged, making inequalities worse rather than better. This system may create a situation where success feels more like a matter of chance rather than fairness.
7 the Universities and Research
The relationship between teaching and research in universities has evolved over time. In the past, especially in the 19th century, universities focused on research, and students learned by engaging directly with scholars. Today, however, many university programs resemble high school education, with fewer opportunities for advanced research. While there is a growing number of graduates, there is concern about the lack of high-quality scholars. The focus on providing access to education for many may hinder original research that pushes the boundaries of knowledge. Traditional research institutions remain crucial because they allow for the exploration of diverse ideas and interdisciplinary collaboration, which are essential for groundbreaking discoveries in fundamental research.
8 Academic Freedom
The idea of academic freedom is important for advancing knowledge effectively. This concept originally developed in European countries, where universities faced political interference. The main point is that research should not be strictly controlled by any single group, including prominent scientists, as this could limit diverse perspectives. Instead, there should be many independent research centers where qualified scientists can choose their own topics and present their findings, even if they do not align with popular opinion. Securing tenure for experienced scientists helps protect them from external pressures. However, tenure should not be given without conditions; individuals who oppose the principles of academic freedom, like Communists, may not deserve it. Overall, while academic freedom is essential, it must be balanced with accountability and institutional standards.
9 the Finance and Organization of Research
It is important to protect schools and research institutions from political or economic influences, especially in social sciences. Pressure against unpopular opinions can be harmful. While direct outside interference has lessened, the growing financial needs of research give funders too much control, which can threaten scientific progress. Some scientists support directing research towards specific goals, which could limit overall advancement. Although certain successful Russian research efforts have sparked renewed interest in organized science, focusing only on current known goals does not mean that knowledge will grow faster. Many significant technological advances come from individual efforts rather than teamwork. This is even more true in basic research, where discoveries are harder to predict. A variety of funding options is key for encouraging original ideas. Having many independent sources of funding is more beneficial than having one controlling authority, allowing researchers to explore different topics. While the current system allows for some donations, tax laws could make it harder for funding to grow in the future. Maintaining freedom in research relies on spreading out control over funds and supporting researchers with diverse interests.
10 “The Development of the Human Individual in Its Richest Diversity”
Freedom is especially important at the edges of our knowledge, where we cannot predict what will happen next. Although freedom is often threatened in these areas, many people stand up to defend it when they recognize a threat. Intellectual freedom relies on a broader foundation of freedoms, and its ultimate goal is to enhance human capacity and knowledge across generations. This growth is tied to moral and aesthetic beliefs, which should not be dictated by any authority but determined through experience. The value of liberty is highlighted when exploring education and research, emphasizing the vital importance of human development in all its diversity.