Item 09 - What Goal Education? A Comparative Study in Educational Philosophy

83 pages, typed, with edits in Zuckerkandl's hand in blue and black pencil and pen.

Comparative analysis of educational systems in US and Europe to provide guidance for liberal arts education reform in three sections. The first provides broad comparisons between the educational systems in the US and Germany; Zuckerkandl concludes that education has a more elevated, democratic, and spiritual place in American society than European, and that, in the liberal arts in particular, the student will benefit more from a generalized education that teaches how to respond to great works, not how to produce them. The second part examines music education in particular: like the European system, it aims to produce artists and musicologists, when most students will gain the most value from music appreciation. Music appreciation is devalued because it is considered too subjective, but Zuckerkandl denounces the false dichotomy between objectivity, which is deemed academically acceptable, and subjectivity, which is no less true. The third part addresses the major schools of thought in 19C Europe that led to the alienation of the individual from society; American society has no such alienation, but its education system is highly individualistic and mind-centered, which causes conflict. Concludes by outlining three factors which will force a change in American example: the European example of reform, the emancipation of American cultural life from European, and the discontentment of the student. Substantial edits; some paragraphs crossed out, and some pages eliminated entirely. Essential content of the work remains. Three colours of handwriting imply Zuckerkandl returned to this work three times.

• English

ONB, Misc100_V_07

• The linked documents are thematically related to Zuckerkandl, Victor. 1944. “Music Education in the Liberal Arts College.” Harvard Educational Review 14 (December–January): 49–58.