The Educational Ideas of Charles Fourier

Book excerpt: Originally published in 1969, this book aims to show that Charles Fourier has much to say that is of interest to modern edcationlists. Fourier hardly ever figures in histories of education because only recent developments in educational practice have shown his ideas to be of topical and practical importance to the schoolteacher and the planner of today. Fourier devised a system of education to suit a self-infulgent, democratic society, in which children's energies could be used in ways which were both socially useful and personally rewarding. He was a pioneer advocate of comprehensive education, so as to establish harmy between classes. He urged vocational training and guidance, so as to establish harmony between men and their work. He devised close links between education and industry, to bring pleasure into both school and work and to integrate the two. He was one of the first to plan social service to the community by children. This prophetic though eccentric writer, sometimes extravagant, often amusing, but always endearing, who has already exerted much influence on socialist theory, deserves to be better known by students of education.