Te Success of Famous Education Philosopher, William Heard Kilpatrick

William Heard Kilpatrick was a famous education philosopher in the early 20th century. Born on 20 November 1871, he was the first born child of a clergyman, Reverend Dr. James Hines Kilpatrick and his wife Edna. Kilpatrick grew up in a suburban town in Georgia called White Plains. His upbringing was in a strict Christian environment and this greatly influenced and shaped his character. Kilpatrick’s father taught him about committed record keeping, a trait that he held for the rest of his life. As a young man, Kilpatrick had a strong desire to become a successful leader. His parents taught him to speak without fear even on topics and ideas that were unpopular (Beyer, 1997).

Experiences

At the age of seventeen, Kilpatrick went to Mercer University (his father’s Alma Mater) and was a top performer in ancient languages and mathematics. During his junior year, Kilpatrick came across a book titled The Origin of Species, which made a significant impact on his professional, as well as personal life. “The more I read it the more I believed it and in the end I accepted it fully. This meant a complete reorganization, a complete rejection of my previous religious training and philosophy” (Beyer, 1997, pg. 2). Kilpatrick strongly felt that his acceptance of Darwin’s theory on Origin of Species meant a rejection of his religion as a Christian and a strained relationship with his family. He noted that this turn of events, made him not believe in life after death and brought to an end the strong worship he had for God. Though, this discovery of “modern evolution” caused him to lose religious beliefs, Kilpatrick maintained his moral values (Beyer, 1997).

After graduating from Mercer University, he proceeded to John Hopkins where his interest was...

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...ook, the origin of species made him change his beliefs. His discovery of the modern evolution, made him lose the religious beliefs he had acquired earlier in life. Kilpatrick clearly understood this change would negatively affect the relationship he had with his parents. He however maintained his moral values since he believed that good morals were the answer to the problems encountered by education and the society (Beyer, 1997). “The core problem facing our schools is a moral one. All the other problems derive from it. Even academic reform depends on putting character first” (Kilpatrick, 1992, pg. 225). Kilpatrick died in 1965, nonetheless left a great influence behind. In the today’s society, creative thinking is highly needed and Kilpatrick’s work is of great importance. His ideas are applicable to the prevailing teaching practices if modified (Tenenbaum, 2012).