Classical Philosophy Foundations of Vocational Education

Paper Summary:

This paper asks the most basic philosophical question concerning vocational education, whether or not it is legitimate to educate with the primary goal of preparing an individual for the workplace. After reviewing the words of several philosophers, the author finds three themes: Vocational education is for an inferior breed of man, education is for the edification of the individual and for the benefit of society and the true goal of education is to develop man's natural talents, affinities, and inclinations. The paper concludes that the review of philosophy has soundly directed the argument towards framing vocational education as based on both definitions of vocation, a preparation for occupation based entirely on the individual student's actual calling in life and natural inclinations.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Definitions, Questions, and Problems
Defining the Liberal and/or Civic Education
Vocational Education Defined
The Socio-historical Approach to Vocation
Rephrasing the Question.
The Philosopher's Approach Education and Vocation
Plato on Education and the Socratic Dialogue
Aristotle's Moral and Vocational Training
Hobbes: Brutish Education for a Better World
Rousseau: The Free Spirited Child and a Liberal Education
Locke: Stifle Poetry and Educate Paupers
Adam Smith
Jefferson's Meritocratic Education
Neitzsche: Self-Will, the Overman and Vocational Education
Summary of Issues

From the Paper:

"It would be a mistake to suggest, as some have done, that the ancients had no parallel to the modern concept of vocational education. Aristotle, for example, seems quite familiar with the idea of training for technical or practical ability. However, he also suggests an important difference between liberating and vocational education. Aristotle seems to be firmly of the opinion that an education that focuses upon practical abilities is limiting and non-conducive to creating a citizen capable of self-rule. His conception of a two-track educating system suggests that some men are born to be slaves and some men are born to rule and that through education these two ought to be nurtured for their respective roles in life. While all humans could theoretically learn to develop leadership, those who were born as slaves are less likely too and need not be trained to do so."

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