Education from the perspective of appropriate behavior
5/10/20253 min read
Introduction
The survival and prosperity of the human species require individuals to adopt appropriate behavior. Humans are not born on Earth naturally endowed with the faculties necessary to act appropriately toward themselves and others. Like all living beings—animal and plant alike—humans undergo an evolutionary process that develops their material essence. This physical or material development is accompanied by an immaterial development of a spiritual, mental, and emotional nature. The development of the human being was not apparent at the beginning of our origin. This collective evolution unfolded over long periods of time. Even physical development itself took place over an extended duration. It appears that this development is now complete. But is it really? Does our body not continue to evolve in subtle ways? Might we not look physically different in the future if we continue to survive?
While physical development may occur autonomously, the development of the other human dimensions does not. These aspects are realized through education. Education has always emphasized acquiring the skills necessary for the full flourishing of human beings. Yet, the educational system—including its family, social, academic, and governmental components—has failed in its mission to instill appropriate individual and social behavior in people. Social and governmental structures have produced societies based on material values, aligned with Darwinism, which emphasizes the survival of the physically and materially strongest individuals. This social behavior has created unequal societies, led to crime, wars, and more—ultimately endangering the very existence of humanity.
Adherence to the core values of the philosophy of education could help rescue the human vessel from the wreck toward which it is heading.
Let us begin by examining two fundamental elements of the philosophy of education as they relate to the principles of appropriate individual and social behavior: axiology and ethics.
Axiology
Axiology is the branch of philosophy that studies values—their nature, classification, and hierarchy. It is concerned with what is considered "good," "just," "beautiful," or "desirable," as well as with the judgments individuals make about these notions. Axiology explores fundamental questions about how values influence human behavior, decisions, and social structures.
It generally divides into two main subfields:
Ethics, which addresses moral values, such as good, justice, and duty.
Aesthetics, which analyzes values related to beauty, the sublime, and art.
Beyond these two areas, axiology encompasses all forms of values, including social, economic, political, and cultural values. It seeks to understand how these values are determined, how they evolve, and how they shape perception and the organization of the world.
For example, in philosophy, axiology might explore:
Why certain actions are considered morally right while others are deemed wrong.
What makes a work of art beautiful or meaningful.
How economic values (like efficiency or profitability) interact with human values like compassion or fairness.
In summary, axiology is a deep reflection on what individuals and societies consider important, why they make such judgments, and what implications these judgments have for human and collective life.
Ethics
Ethics is the branch of philosophy concerned with the principles, norms, and moral values that guide human behavior. It seeks to determine what is "right" or "wrong," "just" or "unjust," and offers frameworks for evaluating actions, intentions, and consequences from a moral standpoint.
Ethics poses fundamental questions such as:
What moral obligations do individuals have toward themselves and others?
What are the rational or emotional foundations of moral judgments?
How can individual and collective interests be reconciled in human decision-making?
Ethics is divided into several subfields:
Normative ethics, which formulates principles to guide action, such as respect for human dignity or the pursuit of the common good.
Meta-ethics, which examines the nature and meaning of moral concepts like "good" or "evil."
Applied ethics, which deals with specific dilemmas in areas such as medicine, the environment, business, or education.
For example, in medicine, ethics examines the legitimacy of decisions like euthanasia or embryonic research. In politics, it questions the justice of laws and public policies.
In summary, ethics is a reflection on what it means to "act well" in various aspects of human life. It aims to guide individuals and societies toward behaviors that respect dignity, promote well-being, and foster harmonious coexistence.
(to be continued)