Desiderius Erasmus Concerning the Aim and Method of Education

Originally published in 1904, this book discusses the fundamental importance of education and theories of education within the works of Erasmus. Beginning with an outline of the life and characteristics of Erasmus, the text moves through his educational aims, ideas on the beginnings of the educational process and conception of the liberal arts. The second part of the text presents four extracts from the writings of Erasmus which express his views on education. Apart from a short chapter from De Conscribendis Epistolis, which is given in Latin with English headings, these extracts are all translated into English. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in Erasmus and the historical development of education.

Preface; Chronological outline; Part I: 1. An outline of the life of Erasmus; 2. Characteristics; 3. The educational aim of Erasmus; 4. The beginnings of education; 5. The liberal studies; Part II: 6. The treatise De ratione studii, that is, Upon the right method of instruction (1511); 7. The treatise De pueris statim ac liberaliter instituendis, that is the argument of Erasmus of Rotterdam, that children should straightway from their earliest years be trained in virtue and sound learning; 8. I. De conscribendis epistolis, cap. LIV: the method of mastering a passage from a classical author; II. From the colloquoy entitled Convivium religiosum; Bibliographical lists; Index.