Education As A Foundation Of Character Building: Swami Vivekanand’s Perspective

Abstract

Renowned Indian philosopher and spiritual guide Swami Vivekananda advocated for an educational philosophy that placed equal emphasis on the development of moral principles and character as well as the acquisition of information. He thought that teaching should involve more than just memorizing the facts. According to Vivekananda, education should be centered on the complete development of the individual rather than only the intellectual advancement of pupils. He gave a lot of emphasis to the idea that education is vital for imparting virtues like integrity, honesty, compassion, and selflessness—all of which are essential for building strong character. According to Swami Vivekananda, the purpose of education is to bring individuals who would make significant contributions to society and have meaningful lives. Developing one's moral character was considered to be the most significant component of education in Vivekananda's educational theory. He believed that in order to live a life that was morally upright and had meaning, a person needed to develop moral ideals. Vivekananda believed that education should help individuals understand who they are, acquire self-discipline, and foster characteristics like bravery, persistence, and confidence. He believed that education offered the chance to develop people who would not only succeed in their careers but also positively influence the society in which they lived. It was Vivekananda's opinion that spirituality and education ought to go hand in hand. He stressed the value of obtaining a moral and spiritual education in addition to intellectual knowledge. He believed that the development of the mind and the spirit were essential elements of a true education. Vivekananda had a vision for education that would enable individuals to discover their inner potential, establish a meaningful and fulfilled existence, and establish a connection with their inner selves. The main goals of this study were to draw attention to how Vivekananda's educational system emphasizes moral principles and character development.