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Single Idea 19979

[filed under theme 25. Social Practice / E. Policies / 5. Education / a. Aims of education ]

Full Idea

Just as the purpose of education in monarchies is to ennoble men's hearts, so its purpose in despotic states is to debase them. In despotic states education must be servile.

Gist of Idea

In monarchies education ennobles people, and in despotisms it debases them

Source

Baron de Montesquieu (The Spirit of the Laws (rev. 1757) [1748], 04.03)

Book Ref

Montesquieu,Baron de: 'Selected Political Writings', ed/tr. Richter,Melvin [Hackett 1990], p.137


A Reaction

This is an early insight into the way that all social institutions, such as education, are largely pawns of a larger political system.