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 on the educational system.

Bertrand Arthur William Russell, one of the contemporary philosophers, also delivers his view on the educational system. Russell was also a moral philosopher as well as an analytic one. His moral philosophy is one where he argued against the repression of freedom. He was too much concerned about human freedom because he thought without freedom self development would not be possible. And in his educational theory, which was manifested in the light of his ethical theory, he repeatedly offered a great importance of self development. Philosophers like Russell, are not only theory maker but they are also social reformer. Their theories make an impression on society. And Russell’s view also obsessed which had a great impact on society.

Russell was an open minded philosopher. He opposed any kind of obligation which authority imposed on man. He thought that sometimes obligation make people bounded which becomes burden to them. Basically, Russell was a non orthodox thinker. He always accepted changes accord to time needed. He thought that society is an ever changing formation; so if man does not change his view according to society he would be treated as barbaric. And for changing his view man needs sufficient freedom which gives him the power to analyse between wrong and right and helps him to determine the right one. And through these freedom and changes the all over development of society is possible. And before social development, self development is one of the mandatory condition. And education is the first step through which this development could be possible. A perfect man is a precious gift to our society.

So it is our duty to make a child not like a machine but like a rational being so that he could take decision rationally. Russell’s view made this clear that it is our responsibility to make a child capable as he could differentiate between right and wrong, he could understand what would be appropriate in that specific situation. Basically, education is that kind of thing through which morality builds up in a child or in a pupil who is the social being of future. So according to Russell, education means not just to learn how to fit in the classical view what is given by such authority but by the means of education man can understand his real duty or responsibility and he can be the judge of his own decision. So from this view point it is clear that Russell was one of the modifier who wanted to change the orthodox social system which forcefully imposed rules or norms on man. And through education he wanted to modify the classical system. That is why he gave very much importance on self development.

‘On Education’, the brilliant and timeless work of Russell, where he represented some important regions of education. Now I am going to discuss those topics. At first, I shall emphasize on the responsibility of teachers in education.

Responsibility of teachers The foremost aim of education is to develop pupils’ intellect and character. Only through education conscious and superior type of individual can be created. According to Russell, if the teacher is not sympathetic and affectionate to student then student’s intelligence and character cannot be developed. No man could be a good teacher unless he has feelings of warm affection towards his pupils. Teacher who have genuine sympathy and welfare consciousness for students, can only adopt appropriate methods of teaching. And teacher must being by treating with the pupils seriously event if they are little. Teacher must give them responsibility, talk to them candidly, provide privacy and solitude for them and make them readers and thinkers of sufficient thoughts from the beginning. And that’s if the teacher seriously wants make a responsible social being.

After teachers responsibility, nature of education comes. Russell writes ‘Education is, as a rule, the strongest force on the side of what exists and against fundamental change.

According to Russell, education makes pupils enable to think, enables them to choose intelligently between two views which they want to accept. Education as a political weapon, could not exist if we respect the rights of children. If we respect the rights of children, we should educate them so as to give them the knowledge and the mental habits required for farming independent opinions. In the essay ‘The place of Science in a Liberal Education’, Russell defines Education ‘as the formation by means of instruction of certain mental habits and a certain outlook on life and the world.’ State wants an obedient citizen, the church wants good saints so every authority wants a man who can easily accept the given rules and can easily fit with them. But it is not fruitful to a child because the real existence of a child is ignored here. In ‘Freedom and Organization, 1814-194’, in ‘Marriage and Moral’, Russell repeatedly told about the change of social thinking. Russell defined that education for change can give better education. This view of Russell proves that he admitted conformity as the grave of intelligence and in this respect orthodoxy of a radical is no better than that of the reactionary.

Russell took four characteristics which seemed to him jointly to form the basis of an ideal character. These four are vitality, courage, sensitiveness and intelligence.

According to Russell, although vitality is a physical trait but it largely shapes our mental state and stamina. Russell suggested that the vitality is rather a physical than a mental characteristic ; it is presumably always present where there is perfect health, but it tends to ebb with advancing years and gradually dwindles to nothing in old age. In vigorous children it quickly rises to a maximum before they reach school age, and then tends to be diminished by education. Where it exists, there is pleasure in feeling alive, quite apart from any specific pleasant circumstances. It heightens pleasures and diminishes pains. It makes it easy to take an interest in whatever occurs and promotes objectivity which is an essential of sanity. Human beings are prone to become absorbed in themselves, unable to be interested in what they see and hear or in anything outside their own skins. Vitality promotes interest in the outside world; it also promotes the power of hard work.

The second characteristic of our ideal character ingredients list is courage. In a discussion of courage, Russell gives us a clear view about courage.

This quality has two parts. The first which Russell called the absence of fear. Then second aspect of courage involves the ability to understand one’s own limits. Many people suffer from fear – both consciously and unconsciously and without any reasonable ground. Through education fear should be removed from the mind of children.

Russell suggested that men and women should be educated in such a way that they can lead a fearless life. In any way fear should be conquered. Fear should be conquered through vitality and self respect. Russell advised liberal and universal (impersonal ) attitude to make one courageous.

Third element of character formation is sensitiveness when our nearest and dearest one feels sorrow we also feel sorrow with him. But with the cause of sorrow of persons who are not dear to us and not present before us. According to Russell this type of abstract sensitiveness might solve many existing evils of the modern world. “The education producing sensitiveness to abstract stimuli would wipe out a large proportion of the evils that exist in the modern world today”, said Russell. Hence, one of the aims of education is to create abstract sensitiveness in the minds of the students.

The fourth element of character formation is intelligence. In the opinion of Russell, intelligence means acquired knowledge and ability to acquire knowledge. But, actually it means the later. Without knowledge intelligence cannot be developed, said Russell. Opportunities should be provided so that the students can think.

Their power of thinking should be developed. Actual teaching time and more time should be given for participation in discussion and debate by the students. As a condition of developing intelligence, curiosity should be created in the minds of the students.

Besides the above four elements there are other elements conducive to character formation. These are co-operation, truthfulness, observation, open-mindness etc.

So, these is the short summary of Russell’s view on education. Basically, Russell believed on change. And he understood that education is one of the instruments through which the change could be possible. Russell emphasized on the point that “the education which results from regarding a child as an individual is very different from that which results from regarding him as a future citizen.” Human beings function not only as obedient citizens but also as individuals who must analyse his position in that society where they live. According to Russell human being must use the education of their individual self to function and improve their role as an citizen.

This is how Russell developed his educational theory in the light of his social value theory. The open mindedness of Russell’s grasped his educational theory. And it is a great contribution in the world of social value oriented philosophy.

References

• Russell, Bertrand, ‘On Education in Early Childhood’ George Allen and Unwin Publishing house, London.
• Russell, Bertrans, ‘Marriage and moral’ George Allen and Unwin, London.
• Russell Bertrand, ‘Freedom and Organization’ – 1814 – 1914, ‘George Allen and Unwin, London.