Imatges de pàgina
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LECTURE I.

WHAT ARE THE RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF THE FAMILY AND OF SOCIETY AT LARGE, RESPECTING THE EDUCATION OF CHILDREN BELONGING TO THEM?

It is now more than two thousand years since Plato, the profoundest of all the philosophers of the pagan world, when propounding, in his Work on the Republic, the ideas which he entertained concerning education, expressed at the same time his apprehension lest his views might be considered as a mere theory, without practical usefulness, and therefore of questionable value. The mode of education, he observes, which he had to propose, would clash too much with the prevailing prejudices of his fellow citizens, for him to expect that they could impartially examine his principles, or consider the results he anticipated from them as any thing but pious wishes. The same difficulties under which Plato found himself then labouring, are, I apprehend, still remaining in the way of those who have to propose a mode of education different from that which the opinion of the age has sanctioned. The natural antipathy of human nature against principles is undiminished, and mankind at large are still as blind as they ever were, to all but visible facts displayed before their eyes. Of this I am perfectly aware; but, so far from deterring me, it operates rather

B

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