The Herbartian psychology applied to education : being a series of essays applying the psychology of Johann Friedrich Herbart / by John Adams.

  • John Adams
Date:
[1897]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The Herbartian psychology applied to education : being a series of essays applying the psychology of Johann Friedrich Herbart / by John Adams. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    13/300 page 5
    “ and I shall teach it. Do not trouble me about the science of education. There is no such science. Edu- cation is purely empirical.” In the dictionary, empirical begins with the meaning “ depending upon experience, or one’s own observation,” but it soon works its way down to “ quack.” Closer examination shows up this modest school- master as an arrogant and intolerant empiric — empiric is prettier than the other word. His position is summed up in whatever conclusion you may see your way to supply to the premises : “ A true schoolmaster is born, not made. I do not require making.” There is a small and diminishing number of very superior teaching persons who sniff at normal colleges, and do not respect even university professors of edu- cation. Such teachers do not require the practical work of the colleges, and despise the theories of the universi- ties. Innate ideas have in their day been regarded as something very wonderful, and innate faculties have aroused even more awe. Both must sink into com- parative insignificance compared with this marvel of innate professions. The knowledge of education pos- sessed by the superior ones, reached their soul by no earthly inlet. They must have brought it, after the Platonic fashion, from a former and a better world. Professor Laurie earned the gratitude of all hard-work- ing and modest teachers on the day that he entitled those others: “ Teachers by the Grace of God.” Yet to abuse those divinely certificated men here is to do a mean thing: to talk evil of them behind their backs; for none of them can be expected so far to for-
    digitised image 1
    digitised image 2
    digitised image 3