Johan Kraftman and Early Pedagogical Thinking in the Age of Enlightenment

Authors

• Ella Viitaniemi Tampereen yliopisto

DOI: https://doi.org/10.33350/ka.142632

Keywords:

Enlightenment, trivial school, pedagogical thinking, Pori, 18th century, social history, curriculum

Abstract

The focus of this study is on the thinking and activities of Johan Kraftman (1713–1791), the rector of the Pori trivial school, and in particular his speeches Tal om Läsnings-werket, hållne wid Examina Anniversaria, i Björneborgs trivial-schola which were held at the end of the schools years 1749–1751. These speeches were quickly published in 1751 in Stockholm, when the reform of the school system was discussed in the Parliament. Kraftman sought to directly influence national education policy through public opinion and the Diet. Kraftman's speeches open up a special perspective on the society of the 18th century, in which both universities and politics sought to respond to the opportunities offered by natural sciences for the development well-being and wealth in the Swedish realm. The article examines Kraftman's pedagogical goals and methods for advancing education. How and why did principal Kraftman want to change the teaching practices of the trivial school? In addition, consideration will be given to how these educational ideals, goals and changes intertwined with the general economic and political aspirations of the era. Kraftman's speeches open up a very special and early perspective on the history of pedagogy and a new kind of goal-oriented development of teaching. At the same time, his early pedagogical thinking can be used to examine how the school system was integrated and intertwined into the economic development of society and the conscious construction of early civil society.