엘베시우스의 교육론에 대한 성찰

Reflections on Helvétius’ Educational Theory

The purpose of this paper is to examine Helvétius' educational theory based on his epistemology, human theory, and moral theory. Helvétius presents an epistemology that reduces all human thinking and mental functions to the sensations. Helvétius understands the motivation of human behavior as the principle of pleasure and pain and the pursuit of interest, and argues that human passion, judgment, and even will are determined by physical sensibility. On this basis, he denies human free will. He also criticizes the inherent sense of morality and argues that morality is a social construct and consensus. In addition, he believed that forming desirable human beings was possible through the soundness of the political system and good laws. Helvétius emphasizes the equality of the human spirit in his theory of education and focuses on the influence of chance and environment in human life. Helvétius believed that everything was possible through education, and suggested the possibility of more proactive human transformation through public education. He also gives important status to the role of education as environment by emphasizing the importance of political system or environment.