by Gregory A. Dear, Jr. '10

Although justice and equal opportunity are rights guaranteed by the US Constitution, is an education also a right?

Dr. James R. Otteson came to Hampden Sydney College on October 1 at the invitation of the H-SC philosophy department to share his thoughts on whether or not public education is defensible.  Dr. Otteson is a professor of philosophy and economics at Yeshiva University, a Jewish institution in New York City.  Currently he is a visiting professor of government at Georgetown University.  During his academic career, the question of public education has engaged him. With the help of a compelling power-point presentation, he challenged his audience to think about the issue.

Dr. Otteson raised questions concerning parents who send their children to private schools and still pay taxes to support public schools.  He asked, “Should they be made to pay twice?  Why and on what grounds?”  Dr. Otteson finds it logical to say that if one is not compelled to support a state religion then it is not right to be compelled to support state/public schools.

He analyzes the teachings of Plato and Aristotle to support his argument.  Dr. Otteson also quotes Thomas Jefferson, "To compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagations of opinions which he disbelieves is sinful and tyrannical."  Dr. Otteson agues that the use of tax money for public schools is an infringement of  natural rights as described by Jefferson.

Dr. Otteson does not want to put an end to public education; that is neither his proposition nor his plan.  He wants fairness, and fairness is highly subjective.

Should public schools be abolished?  Dr. Otteson is among philosophers who have debated the principles underlying public education.  It is a sensitive topic because of the importance of an educated electorate to a democratic society, an importance Jefferson recognized.  It is very hard to determine what is just in this debate and how decisions would ultimately affect American society.

Dr. Otteson, sums up his presentation by saying that regardless of the decision that we come to as a nation, we should look deep within ourselves and strive to do what is best for the society as a whole, and just for individuals.  Should Public Education be abolished? The question is left for you.