Charlotte Mason Principle #2
They are not born either good or bad, but with possibilities for good and for evil.
When it comes to the philosophy of human beings and their state of being, there have been a number of philosophers who have thought about this and given their opinion on the matter.
Thomas Hobbes, an English philosopher, argued in his work Leviathan, that people are naturally wicked. He believed that people are driven by “perpetual and restless desire [for] power… that ceases on in death.” This is why people cannot be trusted to govern themselves.
Jean-Jacque Rousseau, a Swiss philosopher, believed that people are born good, independent, and compassionate. Therefore, people can be trusted to govern themselves. The idea that all people are good, idea leads people to not take personal responsibility for their own actions and mistakes. It is always the fault of the environment.
I do believe that Charlotte Mason got it right in saying that people “are not born either good or bad, but with possibilities for good and for evil.” Her idea is based on Classical method teaching of education. She believed that it is our duty as mother-teachers to educate our children in more than just knowledge about right and wrong but to also teach them to love what is true, good, and beautiful. And although “education cannot save us from sin…it can influence our character” (Parents and Children, p.233) This is why the formation of character is such a big part of her pedagogy.
Charlotte Mason’s approach to forming the character of children is distinctly Christian. In Charlotte Mason’s opinion forming one’s character is “the ultimate object of education” because it helps form a virtuous person. According to Karen Glass, education should “lead to wisdom, and ultimately, character and virtue.”
As mother-teachers, we need to take the time to nurture our children’s character and help them see their flaws and correct them. We do this in a humble way by showing that we too are not perfect and working on our character flaws.
Where do you stand on Charlotte Mason’s philosophy of the human being? Do you believe it is important to form one’s character to love what is true, good, and beautiful?