American Reform – The Theory of Education — Chapters 6-9

“Although violence is not infrequently useful or necessary for taming rebellious dispositions, it is nothing but a remote preparation that readies the spirit to receive conviction through the word. For if this is lacking, the likeness between the master and the disciple is lacking in what is most vital; and if violence and fear are the principle of acting in preference to love, there will be had only a simulacrum of education, devoid of life and of fecundity, bereft of true paternity and true sonship.” — La Civiltá Cattolica>

Aristotle instructing young Alexander | Jean Leon Gerome Ferris, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The Theory of Education: Outline

PREAMBLE — Whether it is expedient for Catholics to write about education, and what purpose they should pursue. Three caveats are made.Chapter I. — On the method with which we enter upon the discussion of this subject, and the parts into which it will be divided.


Originally published in The Journal of American Reform. Read original article