Philosophy of Work

Books as Sources (from the General

Conference of the SDA Church)

Education
Fundamentals of Education
Child Guidance
We begin with this
quotation.
• “True education means more than
pursuing a certain course of study. It has
to do with the whole person, and with
the whole period of existence possible
to human beings. It is the harmonious
development of the physical, the
mental, and the spiritual powers”
(White, True Education, 9.1).
True Education (Education, p.3)
1. A concentrated work perusal of a course
of study, but it is more than that.
2. Prepares the student for the challenge
and the duty of life today and ahead.
3. Must prepare the student for the whole
period of existence open before human
beings (now and eternity)
True Education
4. Education must deal with the whole
being – physical, mental, and spiritual
dimensions of a person.
a. multi-dimensional
b. harmonious – each part should be
given equal attention, without exclusion
of any aspect
c. cooperative development of all.
It starts with the physical.
• “It is the harmonious development
of the physical, the mental, and the
spiritual powers” (White, True
Education, 9.1).
• We cannot achieve highest form of
development in the mental and
spiritual aspect if we are physically
weak.
Spiritual

Mental

Physical
Importance of the body
• Know ye not that ye are the temple
of God, and that the Spirit of God
dwelleth in you. If any man defile
the temple of God, him shall God
destroy; for the temple of God is
holy, which temple ye are.”
(I Corinthians 3: 16, 17)
• Some educational philosophies
have incorporated various kinds of
physical development activities for
make to emphasize physical
development:
• Greeks (Athletics)
• Modern Education (gymnasium and
related exercises and physical
fitness)
But Adventist Education is unique!

• It is to be found in linking
physical development with
academic and spiritual growth,
and that physical dimension is
further linked to useful work.
General Rule

•“As a rule, the exercise

most beneficial to the
youth will be found in
useful employment.”
(White, p. 217)
General Rule
• “As he gains strength and
intelligence, the best recreation will
be found in some line of effort that
is useful. That which trains the hand
to helpfulness, and teaches the
young to bear their share of life's
burdens, is most effective in
promoting the growth of mind and
character.” (White, p.217)
Useful Manual Labor
“The youth need to be taught that life
means earnest work, responsibility, care-
taking. They need a training that will
make them practical--men and women
who can cope with emergencies. They
should be taught that the discipline of
systematic, well-regulated labor is
essential, not only as a safeguard against
the vicissitudes of life, but as an aid to
all-around development.” (White,
chapter 24, 217).
Lessons we need to learn
1. Life means earnest work.
2. Must be responsible.
3. We must show adequate care to
everyone.
4. Need to have training for life’s
emergencies.
5. That the discipline of systematic, well-
regulated labor is essential
a. Guards us from the vicissitudes of life.
6. All around development
But it’s “Degrading,” some said.
• Principle: “Young men are anxious to
become teachers, clerks, merchants,
physicians, lawyers, or to occupy some
other position that does not require
physical toil. Young women shun
housework and seek an education in
other lines. These need to learn that no
man or woman is degraded by honest
toil. That which degrades is idleness and
selfish dependence.” (White, 217)
Key Ideas from the quote
1. We are not degraded by
honest toil/work.
2. Honest work is ennobling.
3. Training of the hands in
helpfulness.
What are the consequences of
idleness?
•“Idleness fosters self-indulgence, and
the result is a life empty and barren--a
field inviting the growth of every evil.”
(White, 218)
Note:
• Self-indulgence
• Emptiness
• Growth of every evil.
• “Many of the branches of study that
consume the student's time are not
essential to usefulness or happiness; but it
is essential for every youth to have a
thorough acquaintance with everyday
duties. If need be, a young woman can
dispense with a knowledge of French and
algebra, or even of the piano; but it is
indispensable that she learn to make good
bread, to fashion neatly-fitting garments,
and to perform efficiently the many duties
that pertain to homemaking.” {Ed 216.1}
What Adventist Schools Must Do?
• “Manual training is deserving of far
more attention than it has received.
Schools should be established that, in
addition to the highest mental and
moral culture, shall provide the best
possible facilities for physical
development and industrial
training.”White, Ed., 218)
What Schools Should/Must Do?
• “Instruction should be given in agriculture,
manufactures,--covering as many as possible
of the most useful trades,--also in household
economy, healthful cookery, sewing, hygienic
dressmaking, the treatment of the sick, and
kindred lines. Gardens, workshops, and
treatment rooms should be provided, and the
work in every line should be under the
direction of skilled instructors.” (White, Ed.
218)
Work Education
1. Begins with childhood.
“When the child is old enough to be sent to
school, the teacher should co-operate with
the parents, and manual training should be
continued as part of the school studies. There
are many students who object to this kind of
work in the schools. They think useful
employment, like learning a trade, degrading;
but such have an incorrect idea of what
constitutes true dignity” (Child Guidance, p.
320)
Work Education
2. Should be part of the school program
(Educ, p.220)
- Needed by professional men.
- Prepares a professional for fitness to
duties.
- “Practical work encourages close
observation and independent thought.”
2. Should be part of school
program (Educ, p. 220).
- develops practical wisdom
- Develops ability to plan and execute
- Strengthens courage and
perseverance
- Calls for the exercise of tact and
skill.
Work Education
3. Promotes dignity of labor (Education,
p.215).
- We honor honest toil.

What degrades?
a. Idleness
b. Selfish dependence
Work Education
4. Promotes mental health (FE, 146)
- If confined only to close study and no
physical work:
- cannot have sound health
- Unbalanced circulation
- Brain has too much blood, while
extremities have too little.
- Education will be of little value if there
no physical strength to use it after it is
gained.
Work Education
5. Work education trains better
administrators. (ED, p.220)
- Values developed during useful work:
- ability for close observation
- independent thought
-courage
-perseverance
- tact and skills
Reading!
“The benefit of manual training is needed
by professional men. A man may have a
brilliant mind; he may be quick to catch
ideas; his knowledge and skill may secure
for him admission to his chosen calling;
yet he may still be far from possessing a
fitness for its duties. An education
derived chiefly from books leads to
superficial thinking.” (Education, p. 220)
 Work Education
6. Promotes spiritual health and builds
character.
a. will develop in students a feeling of
satisfaction
b. Develop a sense of helpfulness
c. Approval of conscience for duty well done
(Counsels to Teachers, p. 308)
d. Aids in promoting (PP, p. 601)
1. Self reliance
2. Habits of industry
3. Shielding from the effects of idleness
Work Education
7. Teaches the value of time and its management.
Students will learn (Education, 222):
a. the value of time.
b. the meaning of efficiency
c. the need for systematic approach to life’s labors
d. Craftsmanship
e. Thoroughness in whatever is done.
f. To economize time to make every move count.
g. Creativity
Work Education
8. Promotes purity and firmness (CT, p.
274) .
- “Its discipline places a check on self-
indulgence and promotes industry,
purity, and firmness.”
- “Labor is still a source of happiness and
development, a safeguard against
temptation.”
- Labor and obedience vs disobedience
and idleness.
Some Components

1. Agriculture
2. Vocational Training
3. Cooking
4. Training in everyday duties
Components

1. Agriculture
- FIRST OCCUPATION God gave to humans
- In heaven, agriculture will be renewed.
“They shall build, and another inhabit;
they shall plant, and another eat: for as
the days of a tree are the days of my
people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the
work of their hands.” (Isa. 65: 22, 23)
Components

1. Agriculture
- FIRST OCCUPATION God have to humans
- In heaven, agriculture will be
renewed.
“They shall not labor in vain, nor bring
forth for trouble; for they are the seed
of the blessed of the Lord, and their
offspring with them.” (Isa. 65: 22, 23)
Components

1. Agriculture
- Working the soil is one of the best
kinds of employment (6T, 180)
- Calls the muscles into action and
resting the mind.
- This is the ABC of the education
given in our schools.
Components
2. Vocational Training
- Skill that will provide students with
an alternative to mental occupation.
- Industrial instruction (keeping of accounts,
carpentry, farming, blacksmithing,
painting, shoemaking, cooking, baking,
washing, mending, typewriting, printing,
housekeeping, etc).
Components
2. Cooking
- “Both young men and young women
should be taught how to cook
economically.” (CT, 313)
- “It is a branch of education which has a
most direct influence upon health and
happiness. There is practical religion in a
loaf of good bread.” (CT, 313)
Components
3. Cooking