Soka value-creating education: the aim of education is the learner's happiness in a contributive, transformative social context¶

Theory · All theories
Evidence · 2 claims (2 for) · 1 study (1 theoretical), q1 · 0 of 1 report an effect size · 2 claims rest on one study

Description¶

Value-creating pedagogy, outlined by Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, holds that creating value is a uniquely human endeavor augmenting daily life and the joy of learning. It opposes devaluation of human life and argues that "the real aim of education is the happiness of the learner in a contributive and transformative personal and social context". Learners are nurtured to create value (beauty, gain, and good) out of any circumstances, even the most adverse, with mentors and learners sharing the process.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Educational environments wherein mentors and learners share in the value-creating process

Constraints¶

• Introduced to circumvent the deleterious effects of a militarized educational program that devalued human life

Target Learners¶

• all students, not just the privileged

Target Learning Objectives¶

• ability to create value (beauty, gain, and good)
• happiness of the learner
• contributive and transformative living

Claims¶

• The article argues education for global citizenship has the potential to improve quality of life and lessen inter- and intra-group violence toward a culture of peace [+W]
• Ikeda positions hope as an essential component of global citizenship education, with value creation starting from hope [+W]

Related Theories¶

• Ikeda's philosophy of global citizenship rests on inner transformation, dialogue, and global citizenship, expressed as wisdom, courage, and compassion
• Makiguchi's Theory of Value (beauty, gain, good) as a framework for Soka (value-creating) education

Examples¶

• Nurture the ubuntu spirit in students because it aligns with global citizenship and embodies a humanistic ethos
• Advance value-creating-modeled curriculum projects in Africana communities to foster ubuntu, happiness, and contributive lifestyles
• Six transformative indices for evaluating value-creating education, from self-centeredness toward well-being in the greater social good
• School training for delinquents organized around social values of each curriculum subject

Key Sources¶

• Stewart Williams, J. E. (2020). Daisaku Ikeda's Philosophy of Value-Creating Global Citizenship Education and Africana Humanism: Africa as the Continent of the 21st Century. Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies in Education, 9(SI). https://ojed.org/jise