ELEMENTARY KNOWLEDGE AS A BASE FOR THE CURRICULUM IN CONDORCET´S WORK

Abstract

Condorcet (1743-1794) is linked to the history of the public instruction and the formation of the republican citizen. The present paper analyzes the conception of elementary knowledge in its pedagogical work as a base to argue the school curriculum on a ethical and political perspective. From a initial presentation of his pedagogical ideas, in special his conception of public instruction, it is showed the elementary knowledge conception as a “key for all posterior knowledge”, pointing out his connection with the universal language like Condorcet have talked about. One reveals how public instruction articulates the epistemic and juridical dimensions in the decisions about school curriculum, how the universal knowledge is balanced with elementary knowledge.