The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1903-05-26
THE FOUR FUNDAMENTAL OBJECTS OF
EDUCATIONAL TRAINING.

~AS
Observe Accurately, Record Correctly, Infer Justly,
and Express Results Cogently."
Let me present here in some detail the main
processes or operations of the mind which sys-
tematic education should develop and improve
IN an individual in order to increase his general
intelligence and train his reasoning power. The
first of these processes or operations is obser-
Vatlon; that is to say, the alert, intent, and
accurate use of all the senses. Whoever wishes
to ascertain a present fact, must do it through
the exercise of this power of observation, wheth-
er the fact lie in the animal, vegetable, or min
eral kingdom; whether it be a fact of physics,
physiology, sociology, or politics. Facts, dill
gently sought for and firmly established, are
the only foundations of sound reasoning. The
savage has abundant practice in observation;
for he gets his daily food only by the keenest
exercise of this power. The civilized man,
whose food is brought to him on a railroad, is
not forced by these elementary necessities to
keep his observational powers keen and quick,
and many of his occupations call for only a
limited use of the observing organs; so that
systematic education must provide in his case
against the atrophy of these faculties. For the
training of this power of observation it does not
matter what subject the child studies, SO that he
study something thoroughly in an observational
method. If the method be right, it does not
matter, among the numerous subjects well fit
ted to develop this important faculty, which he
choose, or which be chosen for him. The study
of any branch Of natural history, chemistry, or
physics, any. weIl-conducted work with tools or
machines, and many of the sports of children
and adults, such as sailing, fishing, and hunting,
will develop this power, provided thorough ex-
ercise of the observational powers be secured.
For the purpose we have now in view, it is vast
ly better that he study one subject thoroughly
than several specifically. The field within
which the power is exercised may be narrow or
special; but these words do not apply to the
power. During this training in accurate obser-
walton, the youth should learn how hard it is to
determine with certainty even an apparently
simple fact. He should learn to distrust the
evidence of his own senses, to repeat, corrObo-
rate, and verify his observations, and to mark
the profound distinction between the fact and
any influence, however obvious, from the fact.
The next function, or operation which educa-
ton should develop in the individual is the
function of making a correct record of things
observed. The record may be either mental
only, that is, stamped on the memory, or it may
be reduced to writing or print. The savage
transmits orally to his children or his tribe such
records as his brain contains of natures lore
and of his experience in war and the chase; but
civilized man makes continuous and cumulative
records of sifted, sorted, and grouped facts of
observation and experience, and on these records
the progress of the race depends. Hence the
supreme Importance that every child be instruct
ed and drilled at every stage of his education in
the art of making an accurate and vivid record
of things seen, heard, felt, done, or suffered.
This power of accurate description or recording
is identical in all fields of injury. The child
may describe what it sees in a columbine, or IN
the constellation of Orion, or on the WharVes,