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Work, the Aims of Life and the Aims of Education: a Reply to Clarke and Mearman
Author(s) -
Winch Christopher
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
journal of philosophy of education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.501
H-Index - 41
eISSN - 1467-9752
pISSN - 0309-8249
DOI - 10.1111/j.0309-8249.2004.00409.x
Subject(s) - argument (complex analysis) , vocational education , sociology , interpersonal relationship , work (physics) , epistemology , philosophy of education , pedagogy , psychology , social psychology , higher education , law , philosophy , political science , mechanical engineering , engineering , biochemistry , chemistry
The main points made by Clarke and Mearman about Winch's article ‘The Economic Aims of Education’ are taken up and discussed. My argument is that work is not necessarily a disutility, although paid employment can be when it is undertaken in conditions that are not fulfilling. Life aims are not the same as educational aims, although educational aims (as opposed to specific curricular aims) are life aims, and can include vocational preparation, a position endorsed in the later writings of R. S. Peters. Such aims can also, contrary to the views of Clarke and Mearman, include preparation for sexual companionship, a view endorsed by, for example, Rousseau.