Both Locke and Rousseau have very different views on the issue of reasoning with children. Locke feels that we as educators should educate children on critical thought for several reasons. The most important aspect of teaching reasoning to children is that critical thought is the most valuable skill that we can teach children in school. The reason why critical thought is so valuable in teaching children is that children need to have the ability to solve complex problems in order to seek truth according to Locke.
The only way that students, in particular young ones in elementary school, will have the ability to seek truth by solving complex problems is to have exposure to techniques that incorporate critical thinking skills. Locke argues that we …show more content…
When we ask “why?”, the answer that is most often given from parents is: “because I said so.” Most children will not continue to ask further unfortunately, and we as parents and educators have gotten the students to the end result that we wanted them to get to since the student did or did not do what we wanted them to do (Thomsen- Locke and Rousseau).
As a result, Rousseau feels that we should not need to provide reasoning to children as the end result can be achieved by students without providing any reasoning. He feels that the end result of education is “to produce a reasonable person” rather than being able to produce critical thinkers. The ability to be reasonable is focused on later in schooling (secondary levels) and students may become reasonable without being able to think critically.
Lastly, Rousseau argues that teaching critical thinking to students may cause them to use their reasoning for deceptive reasons. Students might become arrogant and rebellious as a result of being able to reason. This is emphasized in his quote: “use force with children and reason with men” (Thomsen- Locke and
The only way that students, in particular young ones in elementary school, will have the ability to seek truth by solving complex problems is to have exposure to techniques that incorporate critical thinking skills. Locke argues that we …show more content…
When we ask “why?”, the answer that is most often given from parents is: “because I said so.” Most children will not continue to ask further unfortunately, and we as parents and educators have gotten the students to the end result that we wanted them to get to since the student did or did not do what we wanted them to do (Thomsen- Locke and Rousseau).
As a result, Rousseau feels that we should not need to provide reasoning to children as the end result can be achieved by students without providing any reasoning. He feels that the end result of education is “to produce a reasonable person” rather than being able to produce critical thinkers. The ability to be reasonable is focused on later in schooling (secondary levels) and students may become reasonable without being able to think critically.
Lastly, Rousseau argues that teaching critical thinking to students may cause them to use their reasoning for deceptive reasons. Students might become arrogant and rebellious as a result of being able to reason. This is emphasized in his quote: “use force with children and reason with men” (Thomsen- Locke and