Functionalist Arguments in Greek Educational Policy

Abstract

This article attempts a concise analysis of different functionally oriented arguments which appear to have prevailed among Greek educational policy-makers over the last century and a half. Focusing on the specific claim made by Greek educational policy-makers regarding the alleged survivalist function of teaching the Greek Orthodox religion to all young Greeks (for the survival of Greek society as a whole and of the religion per se), the author categorically rejects the soundness and the relevance of such arguments. In the same context he argues for the intrinsic value of educational pursuits, since education “cannot be placed in the category of things that have purposes or functions.”