The desire to instil what are regarded as correct beliefs has made educationists too often indifferent to the training of intelligence.
Source: On Education, especially in early childhood, 1926, by Bertrand Russell
More info.: https://russell-j.com/beginner/OE02-180.HTM
* a brief comment:
In the context of compulsory education, many parents believe that a teacher's primary role is to instill "correct knowledge" and "proper moral values" in their students (i.e., children).
However, adults with a certain degree of life experience have likely had the experience of realizing that some of the knowledge or moral values they were once taught as "correct" were, in fact, not correct at all.
If that is the case, then it should be considered extremely important in education not only to teach scientific knowledge and logical thinking that no one can reasonably doubt, but also to cultivate a skeptical attitude that helps them avoid being easily fooled, as well as the ability to acquire reliable knowledge.
After all, what is "correct" is not always self-evident. It often varies depending on the country, society, historical period, or circumstances.
Unfortunately, while some people recognize this relativity when it comes to themselves or their own country, they often fail to apply the same understanding to others or to other nations, and instead try to impose a particular way of thinking or moral code.
Although today's "Words of Russell" focus on educators, many would agree that this tendency is not limited to educators alone -- it exists within each of us.
* Amazon Gift Card
