Article October 8, 1932 Issue

Scientific Education

RICHARD CHARLES LANGE

EDUCATION nowadays is coming to be regarded as the process by which youth is prepared for the experiences of life, and in this age of competitive commercialism the methods adopted are those best calculated to enable the individual to establish himself in a career such as will insure the maximum of human comfort and the provision of what is termed the necessities of life. This, however, is a very limited view of education, the higher aim of which is to raise the standard of life in the thought of the individual and the community; to direct thought towards the contemplation of something better and purer than worldly pleasure or gain, and so to fit the individual to achieve a good life rather than merely a good living.

The literal meaning of the word "educate" is "to lead out," and the true meaning is perhaps better expressed by the French equivalent élever, translated as "to uplift." The function of education is, therefore, to lift the so-called human mind above false inclinations; to direct the awakening thought to the observation and understanding of truth and real beauty, as well as to encourage every high objective which may tend to bring progress and happiness into human experience.

Through ignorance of the spiritual facts of being human thought in general has been absorbed in the contemplation of existence as material, with the result that increasing attention is given to those branches of teaching connected with worldly pursuits, or commercialism. Consequently, that lofty standard of thought to which we should aspire is being more or less disregarded. Study of the Bible enters into the curriculum of some schools and colleges, but is mainly taken as a subject concurrently with physics or mathematics, instead of being recognized as the foundation of all true science, art, law, and commerce.

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