Practical Essays

A collection of articles and papers, most of which had appeared previously in magazines. From the Scottish philosopher, educationalist and author.

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Ranging from 'The University Ideal' to ''The Art of Study' and 'Common Errors on the Mind'

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Alexander Bain (1818 - 1903) was a Scottish educator and philosopher. Bain was a professor of mathematics and natural philosophy at the University of Glasgow. He later moved to London to work for the Board of Health. He eventually returned to teaching as a professor of logic. Published in 1884 topics of these essays include the laws of the mind to some prevailing errors, education and the subjects for Competitive Examinations, the range of Philosophical or Metaphysical Study and the mode of conducting this study in Debating Societies, the growth of the University especially in Scotland, self education through reading the right books, Sectarian Creeds and Subscription to Articles, and the Procedure for Deliberative Bodies.

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1884. Alexander Bain, Scottish philosopher and educationalist, was an early proponent of scientific psychology. Along with his friend, John Stuart Mill, Bain was a major proponent of the British school of empiricism: a theory which based all knowledge on basic sensory experiences and not on introspection. Bain's philosophical and scientific writings were completed during his twenty years as a professor at Aberdeen. The first two essays are applications of the laws of mind to some prevailing Errors. The next two have an educational bearing: the one is on the subjects proper for Competitive Examinations; the other, on the present position of the much vexed Classical controversy. The fifth considers the range of Philosophical or Metaphysical Study, and the mode of conducting this study in Debating Societies. The sixth contains a retrospect of the growth of the Universities, with more especial reference to those of Scotland; and also a discussion of the University Ideal, as something more than professional teaching. The seventh is a chapter omitted from the author's Science of Education; it is mainly devoted to the methods of self-education by means of books. The situation thus assumed has peculiarities that admit of being handled apart from the general theory of Education. The eighth contends for the extension of liberty of thought, as regards Sectarian Creeds and Subscription to Articles. The total emancipation of the clerical body from the thralldom of subscription, is here advocated without reservation. The concluding essay discusses the Procedure of Deliberative Bodies. Its novelty lies chiefly in proposing to carry out, more thoroughly than has yet been done, a few devices already familiar. See other titles by this author available from Kessinger Publishing.