Peter Gray, “Free to Learn” (Basic Books, 2013)
New Books in Psychology
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The Purpose of Schooling
Schools as we know them began in Prussia in the 18th century. The purpose of those early schools was really indoctrination and obedience training. There was no fear that children couldn't learn on their own, he says. They might go to hell from a religious point of view or riot against the state. So the idea was to create a more passive kind of citizen. We need people who are like hunter-gatherers - autonomous but with confidence.
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