Education and liberty in space

Janet de Vigne

pp. 219-226

in: Charles S. Cockell (ed), The meaning of liberty beyond earth, Berlin, Springer, 2015

Abstract

A colony that is successful must raise children to carry the flame. How might the principles of liberty apply to them? And more specifically, what kind of education will be necessary in an off planet school room? This essay aims to discuss the problem of raising children in an extra-terrestrial context and issues such as their freedom of choice, the practical considerations of control in an artificial environment, ways of fostering social accountability and the type of expertise needed by educators in this strangest of situations. A critical approach is suggested, one which through constant questioning could at worst inculcate an illusion of freedom (some would argue no different from 21st century practice) in the young but which at best could encourage a teaching and learning utopia.