The Significance of Examining the Concept of “Educated Person”

Through Analysis of J. R. Martin’s Criticism of R. S. Peters

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to make clear the significance of examining the concept of “educated person”as the aim of education through analyzing the critique of R. S. Peters by J. R. Martin. Recently, the relevance of the theory of educational aims to educational practices has been questioned from the standpoint of “value pluralism”, “cultural diversity”, and “choice of individuals”. Therefore,we have to ask the following question:what is the relevant way to discuss aims of education in today’s society, which is characterized by “value pluralism”, “cultural diversity”, and “choice of individuals”? In this paper, I focus on the J. R. Martin’s criticism of R. S. Peters. Martin proposes the necessity of continuing to examine the concept of the “educated person”. Martin’s discussion implies that the conservative concept of the “educated person”will be maintained if we don’t try to examine it at all. Firstly, I try to make clear some features of the concept of “educated person”and Peters’s “educated man”. Peters’s “educated man”represents some characteristics of the traditional concept of “educated person”. Secondly, I analyze the contents and features of Martin’s criticism of Peters’s “educated man”. Finally, I make clear the significance of examining the concept of “educated person”for the theory of educational aims in a society of “value pluralism”.