On the educational potential of happiness: an analysis of its implications for some rural farm schools in the West Coast education district

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT : This study explored the structural and conceptual notions underlying happiness andits concomitant link to education, in particular at rural farm schools in the West CoastDistrict. The premise of my argument is based on the Aristotelian view, whichconceptualises education as a morally informed social practice, directed towards somegood that is internal to the practice itself, in order to ensure human flourishingcommonly referred to as happiness. In concurrence with this notion, I argue that suchan education embeds practical reasoning and compassion as two co-dependent andinseparable virtues, the inculcation of which enables learners to flourish as morally justhuman beings in the particular society, which they inhabit, enabling them to attain theultimate goal of life, which is happiness. I further argue that an education informed bypractical reasoning and compassion has the potential to improve the character andquality of the lives for learners attending rural farm schools.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University