Some Thoughts Concerning Education · Chapter
Dedication explained
Locke dedicates his treatise on education to Edward Clarke, explaining that the work originated from private letters written years earlier at Clarke's request.
What happens
Locke dedicates his treatise on education to Edward Clarke, explaining that the work originated from private letters written years earlier at Clarke's request. He notes that friends urged him to publish, and he hopes the work will contribute to the public good, especially in the education of gentlemen, whose proper training can bring order to society. He emphasizes the duty of parents to educate their children well and the lasting impact of early education on character and life.
Themes in this chapter
Parental Responsibility and Authority
Locke emphasizes that the well-educating of children is the duty and concern of parents, and that errors in education carry incorrigible taint through life.
Gentlemanly Virtue and Social Duty
Locke argues that the gentleman's calling is most to be taken care of, as proper education of that rank will bring all others into order, and he frames publication as a service to his country.
Learning Through Engagement and Interest
Locke notes that the child educated by his method took pleasure in learning and desired to be taught more, contrasting with ordinary disciplining.
Characters to notice
- Narrator
John Locke, the author, addresses Edward Clarke directly and explains the origins and purpose of the treatise.
- Children
Referenced as the subjects of education, whose early corruption is a general complaint and whose proper upbringing is a parental duty.
- Your Son
The gentleman's son who benefited from the educational method described, showing a love for learning and desire for more instruction.
Key passages
“These thoughts concerning education, which now come abroad into the world, do of right belong to you, being written several years since for your sake, and are no other than what you have already by you in my letters.”
This work on education rightfully belongs to you, Edward Clarke, because it was originally written years ago for you and consists of the letters you already have.
Locke acknowledges Clarke as the inspiration and original recipient of the educational letters.
“I think it every man’s indispensable duty, to do all the service he can to his country; and I see not what difference he puts between himself and his cattle, who lives without that thought.”
I believe every person has a fundamental duty to serve his country; anyone who lives without that thought is no better than a beast.
Locke justifies publication as a patriotic duty, equating lack of public service with dehumanization.
“For errors in education should be less indulged than any. These, like faults in the first concoction, that are never mended in the second or third, carry their afterwards incorrigible taint with them thro’ all the parts and stations of life.”
Locke uses a digestive metaphor to stress the lasting and irreparable harm of early educational mistakes.