A Practical Enquiry into the Philosophy of Education   By: James Gall (1784?-1874)

PRACTICAL ENQUIRY

INTO

THE PHILOSOPHY

OF

EDUCATION.

BY JAMES GALL,

INVENTOR OF THE TRIANGULAR ALPHABET FOR THE BLIND; AND AUTHOR OF THE "END AND ESSENCE OF SABBATH SCHOOL TEACHING," &c.

" The Works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. " PSAL. cxi. 2.

EDINBURGH: JAMES GALL & SON, 24, NIDDRY STREET. LONDON: HOULSTON & STONEMAN, 65, PATERNOSTER ROW. GLASGOW; GEORGE GALLIE. BELFAST: WILLIAM M'COMB.

MDCCCXL

Printed by J. Gall & Son. 22, Niddry Street.

PREFACE.

The Author of the following pages is a plain man, who has endeavoured to write a plain book, for the purpose of being popularly useful. The philosophical form which his enquiries have assumed, is the result rather of accidental circumstances than of free choice. The strong desire which he felt in his earlier years to benefit the Young, induced him to push forward in the paths which appeared to him most likely to lead to his object; and it was not till he had advanced far into the fields of philosophy, that he first began dimly to perceive the importance of the ground which he had unwittingly occupied. The truth is, that he had laboured many years in the Sabbath Schools with which he had connected himself, before he was aware that, in his combat with ignorance, he was wielding weapons that were comparatively new; and it was still longer, before he very clearly understood the principles of those Exercises which he found so successful. One investigation led to another; light shone out as he proceeded; and he now submits, with full confidence in the truth of his general principles and deductions, the results of more than thirty years' experience and reflection in the great cause of Education.

He has only further to observe, that the term "NATURE," which occurs so frequently, has been adopted as a convenient and popular mode of expression. None of his readers needs to be informed, that this is but another manner of designating "THE GOD OF NATURE," whose laws, as established in the young mind, he has been endeavouring humbly, and perseveringly to imitate.

Myrtle Bank, Trinity, Edinburgh, 8th May, 1840.

CONTENTS

PART I.

ON THE PRELIMINARY OBJECTS NECESSARY FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT AND IMPROVEMENT OF EDUCATION.

CHAP. I. Page

On the Importance of establishing the Science of Education on a solid Foundation, 13

CHAP. II.

On the Cultivation of Education as a Science, 16

CHAP. III.

On the Improvement of Teaching as an Art, 25

CHAP. IV.

On the Establishment of Sound Principles in Education, 32

PART II.

ON THE GREAT DESIGN OF NATURE'S TEACHING, AND THE METHODS SHE EMPLOYS IN CARRYING IT ON.

CHAP. I.

A Comprehensive View of the several Educational Processes carried on by Nature, 37

CHAP. II.

On the Method employed by Nature for cultivating the Powers of the Mind, 45

CHAP. III.

On the Means by which Nature enables her Pupils to acquire Knowledge, 52

CHAP. IV.

On Nature's Method of communicating Knowledge to the Young by the Principle of Reiteration, 56

CHAP. V.

On the Acquisition of Knowledge by the Principle of Individuation, 65

CHAP. VI.

On the Acquisition of Knowledge by the Principle of Association, or Grouping, 72

CHAP. VII.

On the Acquisition of Knowledge by the Principle of Analysis, or Classification, 83

CHAP. VIII.

On Nature's Methods of Teaching her Pupils to make use of their Knowledge, 95