Thiruvalluvar's Conception of Education and Wisdom: A Tamil Philosophical Perspective with Contemporary Implications |Chapter 3 | New Ideas Concerning Arts and Social Studies Vol. 4

 

This paper explores Thiruvalluvar’s conception of education and wisdom as articulated in the Thirukkural, positioning it within a global philosophical dialogue alongside Socrates, Confucius, Immanuel Kant, and John Dewey. Thiruvalluvar views education not as the mere acquisition of formal knowledge but as a transformative ethical journey grounded in wisdom, integrity, self-awareness, and social responsibility. To critically evaluate this vision, the study introduces the MESS framework—Moral Philosophy, Ethical Wisdom, Secular Education, and Social Responsibility—offering a novel lens for philosophical and educational analysis. By applying this model, the research highlights the universal and inclusive relevance of Thiruvalluvar’s ideals across cultures, transcending barriers of religion, race, or caste. Anchored in classical Tamil thought, the paper conducts a cross-cultural comparative analysis that reveals a shared human aspiration for morally grounded education. In challenging the dominance of technocratic, outcome-driven pedagogies, the study advocates for a holistic educational paradigm that integrates ethical and social development. As the first to apply the MESS method to both classical and modern philosophies, this research makes a timely contribution to contemporary discourse on value-based education, moral leadership, and inclusive curriculum design in pluralistic societies.

 

Author(s) Details

Uthayan Thurairajah

OU Elite Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

 

Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/nicass/v4/5857