Education Thought A2

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Australian Catholic University *

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MISC

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Philosophy

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Oct 30, 2023

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docx

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Uploaded by BrigadierTitanium12167

Throughout Brighouse’s discussion, he argues the importance of autonomy and how it in itself should be enough to justify the requirement that ‘all children be subject to an education designed to facilitate it’ (p.15). Throughout his text, he discusses the importance of autonomy in justifying his argument but doesn’t claim that it is needed for a life worth living (p.15). He evaluates the significance of mandatory education surrounding autonomy, and how parental preference is not a sufficient reason for children to be deprived of it (p.20). Brighouse uses the example of the Amish Constitution and their values surrounding education. Using this example, he further discusses how depriving such value of such skill can lead to consequences later in life for those who want to expand outside of their community and/or culture. Brighouse confidently states the issues surrounding mandatory education and supports his argument through his disagreement with the supreme court. Though he discusses the absolute importance of autonomy, he doesn’t state it takes away the ability to flourish but takes away opportunities in which can be valuable. He argues the opportunities given by mandatory education in the wider society allow for children to make their own decisions through autonomy. Through my critical analysis of this theory, I will source from pages 1 and 2 of “On Education” by Harry Brighouse to analyse his argument which is focused on the importance autonomy has in the justification of mandatory education. Through Brighouse’s text, he directly faces the issues surrounding mandatory education. He starts his argument with a strong example which is the Amish Constitution and their actions in education. The religious community lived reasonably separate from American society. They don’t follow the ‘social norms’ but rather have a close-knitted community that follows religious values. They did not pay taxes, gain benefits from the state or take part in using any modern technologies such as motor vehicles and television. Brighouse discusses how the community challenged a law in which that “all children be subject to some formal schooling up until the age of 16” ( p.13). The Amish Community (1970s) argued that subjecting children to formal education at that age ‘jeopardises their belief in god and ultimately salvation’ ( p.13) . The case went to the US supreme court and was resolved by making reducing the school leaving age to 14. The state had no interest in forcing education upon them as very few left the community, and they were not a drain on the state due to their lack of education. In Brighouse’s argument, he believes this is the wrong decision on the supreme court’s behalf. He stresses the fact of being forced into a way of life that may not suit children and the worry that children will not acquire the knowledge which gives them the ability to make their own judgement in their way of life. He acknowledges that this way of life may be great for some or even most children, but the few individuals that it may not, are at a disadvantage of opportunities. Giving children the ability to evaluate their life and decide whether it is a suited to them comes from the autonomy in mandatory education. He pinpoints the key problem in which “children appear to be deprived of the opportunity to make and act on well-informed and well-thought out judgements about how to live their own lives” (p.14). This highlights his argument on the importance of autonomy in mandatory education. Because children are not learning how to self-govern, they are deprived of the opportunity to choose what life suits them.

Brighouse’s argument in how autonomy is important enough to justify a requirement of education for children is based on the pure American society. Using the Amish community as an example proves his argument is valid as they come differently from American society. Mandatory education allows for any child to self-govern and choose their own path in life. The Amish community does not do this and instead is based on parental preference and religion, not allowing the children to learn autonomously and self-govern. This could lead to a lack of opportunity for those children in the Amish community. Brighouse so strongly believes in this as everyone else in society is taught through the mandatory system which gives opportunity to all children. This is one of the many reasons Brighouse so strongly disagrees with the Supreme Court and concludes with his idea of autonomy in education. Brighouse also values the sources of other philosophers. He states that “Many philosophers have thought of autonomy as the key to a good life.” (p.14). Having such a strong value, the subject of autonomy becomes much larger than just its meaning. Having such a thing in the education of a child can mean what their life turns out to be. Brighouse brings such attention to his argument as it means the value of later life and lengthening the amount of opportunity an individual is gifted with. This can be supported by The Routledge Handbook of the Philosophy of Paternalism (Grill & Hanna, 2018). Their text provides a rich and nuanced exploration of the concept of autonomy. They discuss the concept as a right. “Finally, autonomy can refer to a right. Much like political sovereignty, autonomy as right appeals to the authorized agents have to determine their own ends and pursue those ends unimpeded.” (p. 140). This strongly supports Brighouse’s argument through a different example in which ‘authority agents’ must also come to their own ends and make their own decisions. When comparing this to Brighouse’s example, we can see how the Amish children may miss out on the chance to learn how to self-govern and be able to make their own decisions not based on their religion or community. Through the lack of education providing autonomy, they are not able to decide whether the life they are forced into is suited to them. Overall, Brighouse demonstrates the value of autonomy in education and argues its importance is significant enough to justify the requirement of mandatory education. This is supported by many reasons that he uses as well as supporting texts through the meaning of autonomy and where it is used. Using his knowledge of the mandatory school system he compares his example of the Amish people and thoroughly discusses the disadvantages they will face. By comparing the idea of mandatory education in the wider society and the Amish Community’s beliefs and values, he displays a confident argument on how the children will be disadvantaged due to their inability to self-govern. Although he was challenged by the court’s disagreement, he backed his argument thoroughly to prove his point to be valid. Through reading Brighouse’s argument, I can agree with most parts of his statement. Though autonomy is extremely important to each individual, you cannot argue over tradition and religion. Autonomy is a heavy subject and it’s not just what you should be learning as a child, but it sets an individual up for their future. Without autonomy, you cannot self-govern and make decisions for yourself. This is where I believe Brighouse has a valid argument. The Amish Community do not allow for enough autonomy is their educational system. This will mean those will not have the opportunity to decide for themselves about their life.

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