Problematyka kłamstwa a pragmatyczny nurt w edukacji. Analiza dzieła pedagogicznego Bolesława Kaprockiego „Kłamstwo w szkole”

Bolesław Kaprocki was teacher in the 1930s and after II World War. In 1938, he wrote „School’s lies”. This book was never reprinted. His academic achievement are almost unknown. In „School’s lies” Kaprocki describes the problem of lies committed by students. He studies the social and biological origins of lies. He distinguish 2 types lies: unthruth and lie of will. The child’s false statements under the influence of animism are of an „untruth” type. „Lie of will” is commited consciously and accompanied by specific goal. A lie must be considered individually and socially. The most common source of lies is fear of the consequences. The author of the article analizes the problem of lie and Kaprocki’s pedagogical program from a pragmatic perspective, pedagogical trend and philosophical position represented by John Dewey. In pragmatic philosophy, the approach to thuth is flexible. Generally, utility is the measure of truth. This flexibility has its limits. Dewey analysed objective historical and social processes. According to Dewey, when social system change, the awareness of society changes. Magical thinking in primitive people helps them explain natural processes. In the course of social and economic development, magical thinking is replaced by science. A similar evolution concerns the development of the child’s cousciousness. Kaprocki was much inspired by Dewey’s pragmatism and idea of experimental teaching. He postulated an individual approach to the student. He took into account the student’s interests, imagination and his intellectual, moral and biological development. A similar method should detect lies. Kaprocki proposes solutions to counteract lies. He examines the impact of different types of punishment. He rejects corporal and natural punishment. He proposes „a moral punishment”. Punishment should appeal to conscience and stimulate moral development. Enforcing this punishment requires consistent bahavior of the educator. Teacher must possess authority. Kaprocki also touched upon the problem of racial segregation. According to Kaprocki, the course of intellectual development is different in representatives of various races. This creates conflicts among the students. This problem is moral if we accept Herbart’s assumption that the development of intelligence determines morality.