Aim: To cultivate rationality through exposure to great works of Western civilization.

Perennialism
Meaning Derivation Premise
- Just as the term - A theory of education - Truth is universal and
perennial which derived from Realism, eternal; humans are
means lasting forever, philosophies of rational and have the
Perennialism Aristotle and Thomas intellect to reason.
emphasizes education Aquinas. -
that is enduring and
lasting.

Advocates of Perennialism

ROBERT M. HUTCHINS (1899 – MORTIMER ADLER (1902 – JACQUES MARITAIN (1882-

1977) 2001) 1973)
 Developed Great Books  A great proponent of  Developed Integral
program. Perennialism and an Humanism emphasizing
 Truths and human advocate of the Great the cultivation of
nature are universal Books. learners spirituality and
and timeless. “An individual learns best by rationality.
 Rejected beliefs about studying the classics.”  Purpose of education is
truth depending on  Founded the Paideia to assist in cultivating
culture, place, or time. approach to education. humanity and introduce
 Ideal education is “one cultural heritage.
that develops  Children do not
intellectual power.” construct reality, rather
they discover it.

Curriculum:
 Is based on what is universal, eternal, and recurrent.
 Focuses on attaining cultural literacy, stressing student’ growth in enduring
disciplines.
 Subjects on liberal arts and sciences, especially the great books of Western
civilization are used.
 First-hand or primary documents are used to teach.
 They recommend that students learn from reading and analyzing the works by
history’s finest thinkers and writers.
Classroom and Teacher:
 Classroom centered on the teacher and not the students.
 Curriculum remains the focus.
 Teacher sets everything based on the syllabus.
 Teacher sticks to what has worked in the past

Character Development:

 A student’s future will be influenced by studying important people of the past.

 Cultural heritage plays a key role in character development.
 Since humans are rational beings, minds need to be developed rationally.

Strengths:
 Clear map giving guidance and direction towards learning outcomes.
 Enjoyment and encouragement of creative ideas.
 Search for own meaning, identity, and truth.
 Exposure to classics and Great Books carries authority as well as enriches the minds of
students.

Weaknesses:
 Studying at the same pace may not benefit all students.
 Present day problems and direction for future are ignored.
 Less emphasis on the students’ physical, social, and emotional development.
 Sticks to structured methods and drills.

Implications
Curriculum Education School

- Focus on cultural - Should be universal - To cultivate students’

skills and knowledge and constant, not power of reasoning.
people have needed changing with time.
across time.

Comparisons
A Perennialist School A Christian School
Great Hearts Academy St. Mark’s Lutheran School

Goal of Education – To become good, Goal of Education – To impact students for

intellectually and morally.
Aim – To cultivate hearts and minds of
students through pursuit of Truth, Goodness,
and Beauty.
Content of Education – Classics and Great
the Kingdom work by producing life long
learners in a Christ-centered environment.
Aim – Acquire biblical perspective on
learning and teaching in all areas: Mind, Body
and Spirit
Content of Education – Core subjects and
 Books by History’s finest thinkers and Word of God considered as highest authority
writers. in all of life subjects.

Teachers – Professionals from diverse Teachers – Bible believing teachers

backgrounds who stick to what has worked in committed in the development of the student.
the past.

Curriculum – Common, one track with focus Curriculum – Biblical worldview of raising
on the classical liberal arts education. faithful servants of God.

Biblical Evaluation:

 Christians do value the profound and enduring ideas advocated by Perennialist.

 Christians ought to be mature and wise in their thinking (1 Corinthians 14:20) and
evaluate the implications of these great works critically.
 Thinking critically and analyzing diverse topics using our intellect is biblical.
1 Peter 3:15 indicates that we are “to give a reason for the hope that is in us.”

Summary:
 Application of classical ideas to modern culture.
 Students mind is best developed through learning of the “classics.”
 What was taught in the past needs to be taught now.
 Everlasting concepts should always be taught.

Conclusion
• Reacting is not always the best way to push for change. Yet this is exactly what brought
perennialism into existence. Seeing the lost of absolute truth and long held traditions,
perennialism strove to protect these pillars of education. There are some problems. For
example, their emphasis on the rational nature of man seems strange as the average
person is lacking in the ability to reason and control their emotions.
• In  addition, the one-size fits all when it comes to education is obviously not true as we
need people who have a classic education but also people who can build a house or fix a
car. In other words, we need vocational training as well in order to have a balanced
society.

• Another problem is the fallacy of the appeal to tradition. Just because something is a
classic does not make it truth or worthy of study. This simply allow the traditions of the
past to rule the present. If all people do is look at the past how will they develop relevant
ideas for the present or future?
• The main benefit of these different schools of thought is that through these conflicts of
opinion a balanced approach to learning can take place for students.

“The more things change, the more they stay the same.”
- Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr