THE IDEA OF NATURALNESS – THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE OF J. A. COMENIUS’ DIDACTIC SYSTEM

on the occasion of the 350th anniversary of the death of the great pedagogue

Abstract

In this paper the author sheds light on the fundamental idea of J. A. Comenius’ didactic system which is the idea of naturalness. It was famously formulated by Comenius as omnia sponte fluant, absit violentia rebus loosely translated as “Let all things flow freely, let violence in all things be absent.” The idea of naturalness has its roots in Comenius’ panharmonious understanding of reality and his all-corrective striving: to repair each individual and society as a whole through true pansophic education. Comenius rejects all forms of violence including that in didactics – the art of teaching everything to all. Education and learning are parts of the natural flow and the teacher is a servant of nature, not its master. In accordance with that good methodology is natural, non-violent, joyous. The author points to deeper cultural and historical roots of Comenius’ views (Hussite tradition and influences of F. Bacon, T. Campanella, M. F. Quintilian) as well as contemporary relevance of Comenius’ didactic principles which influenced reformational as well as progressive pedagogy of the 20th century. To this day these principles continue to inspire scientific and practical work in pursuit of a humane approach to learning and teaching that respects and encourages self-determination, self-initiative and the freedom and creativity of children.