The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1915-01-09
Normal Notes and Comments.
COMMERCIAL EDUCATION IN KANSAS.
What Il shouId be and Why.
WHAT EDUCATION IS


termine the objects of education. Phi
losophers and educators with whom we
are acquainted are prolific in their defn-
itions. Plato would have the object of
education to be the perfection of all the
powers of man. Dante declared it to
be to fit man for eternity. Rosenkranz
says it is to develop the theoretical and
practical reason in man, and give him
freedom. John Milton, author of
Paradise Lost" and one of the great
est men who ever wrote book, thought
the purposes of education were to regain
what man lost in Adams fall; and to
know God Alright, and out of that know
ledge to love him, and to initiate him,
and to be like him. Perhaps the clear
est and most workable definition of edu
cation is that given by Herbert Spencer
when he says, Hto prepare US for COM
plete living is the function which educa-
ton has to discharge" By this Prof.
Spencer means: In what way to treat
the mind; in what way to treat the body;
in what way to bring up family; in
what way to behave as a citizen; in
what way to manage our affairs; in fact
in what way to utilize all those sources
of happiness which Nature supplies.
Thus, it appears that the end Of edu-
cation is complete human development
Modern educators are not able to change
those views. They are agreed that
those things are attained by bringing
the several parts of mans nature t. a
harmonious realization of their highest
possibilities. But modern authorities
do disagree as to the procedure nee
essary to accomplish those ends.
While complete education aims at de-
veloping the highest possible type of
manhood, it still has material relation.
Man has various duties to perform in
the world for which special training is
required. The paramount purpose of
this paper is to make it clear that edu-
cation, both in it's subject matter and
method of instruction, should be planned
with reference to the demands of prac-
teal life. The school should be the
logical and natural introduction into the
active world, and human development
should be combined with practical wis
dom.
SATISFYING HUMAN WANTS Is THE CHIEF
PROBLEM OF THE RAGE.
The most important and serious topic
of the age is the study of mans efforts
to secure living. A human being must
have food, clothing and shelter, and in
addition to this he has great variety
of lesser desires and necessities which
he is constantly endeavoring to satisfy.
True too, man is endowed with superior
faculties and high spiritual nature,
both to be developed. But it must be
noticed that man s nature is three fold
and must be developed in natural
order, the material first and the intel
lectual and spiritual later. Many spirit
ual wants can be satisfied only through
the medium of material objects. It is
certain that the race as whole must
put in the greater portion of its time at
physical labor.
It is truism that the race must get
its living from the material things
which surround it-from the water and
soil. It follows then that study of the
industries should form larger portion
of our public school study. Political
economy teaches US that there are in
general three economical pursuits that
must be followed in order that the race
may develop in a complete way:
l. The primary industries; farming,
fishing, mining and numbering.
2. The secondary industries; manu-
featuring, transportation, storing
and merchandising.
3. The professional services; heal
ing, teaching, governing, inspir-
ing, amusing.
All no doubt are agreed that state
education should be democratic; also al
will concur in the statement that the
object of education is to prepare fol-
complete living. Then just and edu
cational system must prepare those
participating in the primary pursuits
as well as it prepares those who engagt
in the secondary pursuits and in the pro
fessional services. IF the schools o.
Kansas measure up to the standards re
quired Of them, their courses of stud,
and methods of imparting instruction
must be thoroughly democratic. Al
vacations of life must have an equa
chance. The doors of all institution
must be open alike to the business man
merchant, artisan, farmer and me
chanic, as it is open to the lawyer, doc
tor, preacher and teacher.
There are thousands of men today
whom the Lord intended should be en-
gagged in farming, carpentry, trades 0
business, who are Tin sort of semi
genteel way) maligning each other an
mulcting the public in their desperat
clamor for clients, patrons and patron
age. Tablets, petty-fogging and red
tape can be secured on an instance nc
tiee, but il. one wants sweet butter, hi
plumbing repaired or the storm window
put on, he must speak weeks beforc
hand. To verify this condition on
needs only TO consult his home surrouns