He who controls education controls the future. What is education? How should the young be educated—what is important and what not? Who should control education: the parents, the student, the society or the state? Should a student be taught to think for himself or to adopt the beliefs of the society? Should man be educated to be free and live for his own interests; or to subjugate his desires to serve others or the state? Does God have anything to do with this?

Education is the acquisition of knowledge be it through books or through experiancing life. I believe both are important...the family as a whole should be the primary source of education as it inevitably is, seeing as how its the most direct influence in a developing life, institutions are also important in teaching for it allows the capacity for a broader understanding of society and its effects and influences. I believe a student should be taught to think for themselves, to always ask questions, but also be taught to remember humanity, and to respect and understand life, I believe in freedom and living in ones own interests...however, should those interests harm or interfere with the lives and freedom of others...it should be check, people as a whole have a way of doing that with or without external or government influence...they seem to d a better job without external or government influence as well. God gave us free will, which means we have the capacity to act and think for ourselves, that is all that need be said.

Beautifully written and I agree with you

Interesting, I have often wondered where the tenants for societal mores originate. Are they an extension of the basic belief system we are inculcated with by our parents? Are they what we see modeled by our leadership? Are they based on religious dogma? Are they simply suggested by capitalism. If so, are they reasonable and good for everyone? Should we teach our children anything that is historically flawed, even though it is tradition? Does the state have an investment in what our children are mandated to be taught?

Tough questions to answer. I am sure you will find a great many opinions on the questions you ask.

tenants with in social mores originate from families and other small/close societies, there will always be a "black sheep" which alots for change and upheaval within any society, or a solidifying of original values. religious dogmas are instilled and enforced through the same small familial societies. the larger societies will always influence individuals, by either causing them to question or further strengthen their beliefs. Always teach them about historical flaws, they learn to question and improve. And yes the state and whoever is running it has a great deal of investment in what is taught, people who think for themselves are often more difficult to manipulate

Formal education isn't about education at all.

It's about earning credentials.

That's all.

Just about any truly wise college professor will confess the truth of this and will often even tell their students something to the effect, "Just earn your degree. Once you get out of here then you can worry about learning something."

Seriously.

It's true.

how many people would work toward that degree if they hadn't been told they had to do it to get a paycheck worth having....American society has made education a chore rather than a pursuit of knowledge and understanding...

I think the future should be educated the same way our parents taught us.

Remember how your Dad said (under his breath with a hand over his mouth) "I wouldn't put that penny in that socket if I were you."

Remember how bad that shock hurt?

Remember how your Dad taught you to swim, by throwing you into a pond and saying "Now Swim! ?"

This is good stuff, and a guarenteed way to make someone learn.