REFORM OF EDUCATION IN THE POLISH-LITHUANIAN COMMONWEALTH OF THE XVIII CENTURY

Abstract

This article focuses on the history of philosophical and educational thought of the Enlightenment in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Program «Collegium Nobilium» created by Stanisław Konarski in opposition to traditional Jesuits education is discussed here. Futher the project by Antoni Popławski that became a basis for the next reform of the educational system carried out by the Commission for the National Education is analyzed. This project provided introduction of primary education for peasants. It is also shown that the conceptual basis for educational reform was Physiocratic doctrine, popular among philosophers of the Commonwealth in the Age of Enlightenment. Acceptance of ideas of Physiocrasy led to introduction of natural law theory and political economy into educational courses and replacement of traditional course of philosophy. As a result of XVIII century’s reforms education became secular and was focused on the formation of civic virtues.