The Purpose of Education - Assignment Example

The author, through the contrasting family members and their views in the story, illustrates the significance of realizing one's present life proportionate to the traditions of the people and culture. Thus, the short story by Alice Walker has great relevance in teaching some of the pertinent lessons about tradition, culture, and values. Similarly, Martin Luther King Jr. makes some essential notes about the true purpose of learning in his essay "The Purpose of Education", and the author is concerned with correcting some misconceptions about the purpose of education by most college men.

According to him, "most of the 'brethren' think that education should equip them with the proper instruments of exploitation so that they can forever trample over the masses. Still, others think that education should furnish them with noble ends rather than means to an end. It seems to me that education has a two-fold function to perform in the life of man and in society: the one is utility and the other is culture." (King) Therefore, both Martin Luther King Jr.  is engaged in an important endeavor to correct the misconception of the purpose of education and the author is effective in making his points unambiguous.

According to him, most college men understand education as a means to equip them with the proper instruments of exploitation in order to trample over the masses. He is authentic about the true purpose of education in the life of man and in society, and education is all about utility and culture. To him, education must enable a man to become more efficient, to achieve the legitimate goals of his life, along with increasing facility. "Education must also train one for quick, resolute and effective thinking.

To think incisively and to think for one's self is very difficult. We are prone to let our mental life become invaded by legions of half-truths, prejudices, and propaganda To save man from the morass of propaganda, in my opinion, is one of the chief aims of education. Education must enable one to sift and weigh evidence, to discern the true from the false, the real from the unreal, and the facts from the fiction." (King) Therefore, the author is effective in dealing with his essential ideas concerning education and the essay has a great function in teaching modern learners about the true purpose of education.

According to him, the true and essential function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. It is also important for education to be concerned with efficiency, and it must provide the learner with a reason as well as morals. Similarly, the story "Everyday Use" by Alice Walker provides crucial ideas concerning the essential purpose of education through the contrasting family members and their views in the story.