Professional Documents
Culture Documents
January 2012
We will be referring back to this point in our further discussions and seeing how this is essential in developing the practical application of a CM philosophy. Most of this chapter refers to the rightful and ultimate authority of God over all of us, children and adults. However, we do have deputed authority given us as proper to our office. Authority, if exercised without abuse, provides liberty and order. Docility is subjection under authority. As one in the position of authority we must gain obedience as one also under authority. Miss Mason submits that yes, children should have the freedom to do as they please on the one hand, and yet do as you are bid for the needs of the matter at hand. So rather than one OR the other, authority and obedience are working in tandem. A willing obedience develops self-authority & proud subjection. She also suggests that the way to secure willing obedience or proud subjection is to avoid standing between children and those laws of life and conduct by which we are all ultimately ruled. Children see the difference between arbitrary rules based on the convenience of the teacher and the corrective authority acting under the same higher authority. Docility implies equality that doesnt mean be their friend only it is the pursuit of the same ends which gives liberty beyond superficial freedom and an inward ordered freedom. With respect to education, this means the child has a due share in his education he is not a sack to be filled and the great responsibility of doing the work for himself. With this approach, education is not a benefit for us to confer, but rather a provision for them to take. Go through the progressive list here: mind needs ideas, teacher supplies abundantly, child does his own thinking no pre digestion, mind is nourished. This requires much Masterly Inactivity on the part of the overeager teacher .