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Overview

Some Thoughts Concerning Education was written by English philosopher John Locke and published in 1693. When  asked by a friend for advice on how best to raise a son, Locke responded with a series of letters that became the basis for the published work. Because it started as a series of letters, it doesn’t present systematic theory of education—although it does show a surprising amount of insight into child psychology. “Education” here primarily means the moral education of young men.

The aim of education, in Locke’s view, is to give a man rational control over his passions and desires.

Read the overall summary, explanations of important quotes, and three Question & Answers about key ideas in Some Thoughts Concerning Education. Or, learn more by studying SparkNotes guides to other works by John Locke.

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