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Philosophical Writings
Dissatisfaction with the conventional education of the time may be traced back to Roussean, it was expressed forcefully later by Tolstoy. In the U.S.A. Dewey and many others also wrote about the new education. But a clear awareness of the true needs of education dawned really with 20th century. Il Education : An Indian Approach:
Vedas and Upanishads say: 'Education is the manifestation of the perfection already in man'. Knowledge is inherent in man, no knowledge comes from outside; it is all inside. All knowledge comes from the mind. In this sense knowing is unveiling. One can help the child, can guide, or support. But you can't teach. The meaning of the word education is - to lead, to bring forth, to educe. Educe what? one might ask. To educe the inner, hidden, dormant potential within every human being. Sri Aurobindo, writing on education says : "The first principle of true teaching is that nothing can be taught”.
The aim of education is always two fold: there is a collective aspect and there is an individual aspect. Education aims to turn the individual into a good citizen. Education also aims, with good citizens to have a society with healthy social environment. We all know and have discussed the aim and purpose of education which is superficial or apparent. But what is the deeper aim of education? According to Indian Philosophy and culture, “There is a Divine Reality wanting to be manifested. We aim at knowing this Reality and working for its manifestation."
Philosophers and prophets of Education have given many shining and revolutionary ideas on the future of education. The line of thinking pursued by Indian spiritual thinkers has laid emphasis on different aspects. The search is not merely for the type of education needed but the question is: What is the fundamental need or aim of future education? Is it simply to create well informed, efficient, skilful, rationalised and adaptable social being or “to create a new Man who goes beyond mind and reason to a higher dimension of consciousness which is free from the limitations of the mental consciousness and who can lead humanity and earth towards its
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