THE EDUCATION OF FREE MEN

This scholarly and provocative analysis of education in America is far from easy reading, but has so much reward that it is worth the concentration demanded. A proponent for liberal education as ""one that frees each and all safely and happily to live and to move and have his personal being in fact or in idea among the others of his choice"", he may take a controversial position among some traditionalists. And there's dynamite in such statements as ""Teaching is made the art of wearing intellectual blinders"" -- and ""Education in progressive New York State is indoctrination in a dated grammar of assent"" -- and many another pungent phrase. As background for his thesis, Professor Kallen (now of the New School, formerly of Princeton, Harvard, Wisconsin) explores the state of education in America, the pressure influences that shape it, (business, industry, religion, problems of security, war). He discusses the philosophies of such men as Jefferson, Franklin, Condorcet -- and their contributions. He is sceptical as to the constructive contributions made by the extremists in for example progressive education, the faddists in various systems of testings. He gives the reader glimpses of some exciting experiments going on,- the Nadean Township School project in Michigan; the Child Welfare Experimental Station at the University of Iowa, the Springfield Plan, and others. A book which charts no course, but which charges thoughtful readers to further consideration and exploration. Limited in appeal, unfortunately, by the approach and presentation, to those with considerable background and interest in the subject.