Medicine,
Mind and Adolescence 2002, XVII, 1-2
RELATIONSHIPS
BETWEEN THE EDUCATIONAL
PROJECT AND THE CONCEPT OF PERSON
Imer Paolo Callegaro1
PROJECT AND THE CONCEPT OF PERSON
Imer Paolo Callegaro1
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Abstract
The aim of education is the well-being of the person, but “it conflicts” with his/her freedom. This is the challenge and the fascination of education: it goes into the mystery of each person.
Education is something more than information, instruction, and training. It suggests that life contains in itself an objective, a “target”, i.e. the “realization” of the person that leads to well-being. Education is, therefore, an ethical obligation to prevent the young from suffering. This can derive from life choices originating from lack of education.
Moreover, through education the person can leave the egoistic “I” projecting him/herself towards the others and then avoid the breaking of the “social contract” between people. Education is an economic investment. Beyond valuing and giving space to the youths’ resources, it will contribute to the improvement of society and avoid the investments for the “recovery” of behaviours at risk.
We can broadly agree on educational purposes, but we cannot agree when we define educational modalities and curricula. In fact, every person is free to choose his/her educational model starting from the definition of person. The result on the person with education will vary with varying degrees of self-realization and health. The aim of this article is to propose the etymological meaning of “educating” and to analyse the origins of the actual differences among meanings of and approaches to education.
Key Words: Education, Concept of person, Ideal self.
1. Correspondence to: Imer Paolo Callegaro, M.D.: imerpaolo@libero.it
