CONCEPT OF EDUCATION
BY
SHARMISTHA
MUKHERJEE
CONCEPT OF EDUCATION

INTRODUCTION:
In exploring the concept of education a territory is
being entered where there are few signposts. To use
Ryle’s phrase, the ‘logical geography’ of concepts in
the area of education has not yet been mapped. This
feature of the field of education was vividly brought
home to me in the autumn of 1963 when I was working
on my Inaugural Lecture on Education as Initiation, and
was unable to unearth any previous explicit attempt to
demarcate the concept of ‘education’. It is not
surprising, therefore, that in presenting at the start what
amounts to a bird’s eye view of the contours of this
territory, I have to rely mainly on my own previous
attempt to map it.

Etymological Meaning of Education:
Etymologically, the term ‘education’ is derived
from different Latin words; ‘Educare’ means ‘to
bring up’ , ‘to raise’ , ‘to nourish’. Another Latin
origin, ‘educere’ means ‘to lead’ , ‘to draw out’ , ‘to
bring forth’. Another tern ‘educatun’ that means ‘act
of teaching’ , ‘act of instruction. Some people are of
opinion that education comes from ‘E+duco’ where
‘E’ means ‘out of’ and ‘duco’ means to lead. There
fore, E+duco means making internal abilities
external.

Importance of Education:
There is no iota of doubt that education is
summum bonum of human life.

Synonyms of Education:
a) Shikshya : Shikshya is derived from the
Sanskrit root ‘Shash’ which means ‘to instruct’ ,
‘to teach’ , ‘to control’ , ‘to discipline’ , ‘to order’
, ‘to rule’.
b) Vidya
: It is derived from the Sanskrit
verbal root ‘Vid’ which means ‘to know’. It
implies knowledge.
c) Pedagogy : It is a Greek word used for
education. Pedagogy means to lead the boy. It is
the science of instruction to pupils.
d) Andragogy : It is the art and science of teaching
the adult learners.
e) Mathetics : The concept is given by Thomas
and Gilbert. It comes from the Greek word
‘mathein’ which means ‘to learn’.

Western Concept of Education :
Plato
: “Education is the capacity to feel
pleasure and pain at the right moment.”
Aristotle
: “Education is the creation of a
sound mind in a sound body.”
Rousseau
: “Education is the child’s
development from within,”
Spencer
: “Education is complete living.”
Dewey
: “Education is a continuous
reconstruction of experience.”

Eastern Concept of Education :
Rigveda
: “Education makes man selfs-reliant
and selfless.”
The Upanishad : “Education is that whose endproduct is salvation.”
Vivekananda : “Education is the manifestation of
Divine perfection already existing in man. Man is
endowed with quality of perfection.”
Aurobindo
: “Education is helping the growing
soul to draw out that is in itself.”
Gandhi
: “By education, I mean an all-round
drawing out of the best in child and man-body, mind
and spirit.”
Nehru
: “Education is one that enables the
individual to be a producer as well as a good citizen.”
The Education Commission (1964-66) :
“Education ought to be related to the life, needs
and aspiration of the people so as to be a powerful
instrument of social, economic and cultural
transformation.”

Analysis of Definitions :
After an analysis of definitions of Education
given by the indian and the western philosophers, we
can categorize them mostly in three major heads,
namely (a) Spiritual emancipation of human soul,
(b) Development, enhancement and realisation of
individuals inherent potentialities, and
(c) Development of socialization and Civic
awareness.

Education is both a Science and an Art :
In the present perplexed world, education is
nothing but development of competence. In other
words, information, knowledge, skill, etc. are to be
provided to man through education. Such education is
true which is geared towards wellbeing of the
individual as a person development community,
nation and the human race at large.

Education as and Art :
There has been a bone of contention whether
education is and art of science. Some say it is purely
and art. And art is learnt directly by continuous
practice, education needs constant and continuous
practice. Art refers to work, activity and development
of skills.

Education as an Science :
Some people consider education a science.
Science is a system of truth in which a search is made
for finding out truth for its own sake through a
definite language and terminology.

Narrower Meaning of Education :
In narrower sense of the term, education is
equaled with instruction given in formal educational
institutions,
namely
schools,
colleges
and
universities.
 Broader
Education :
or
Wider
Meaning
of
Education is a life long process, it is continuous.
It starts from the mother’s womb and ends in the
tomb.
THANK YOU