>>pedagogy tries to find the optimal conditions for humans to develop their true self >"True self" is not a real thing - it's mystical psychobabble. Yep you a

>>pedagogy tries to find the optimal conditions for humans to develop their true self >"True self" is not a real thing - it's mystical psychobabble. Yep you are right, but I don't speak English natively and did not have much time :) A better phrasing probably would have been the true potential of the species, not of an individual. But true potential sounds too elitist... I'll try more verbosely: Mostly since the enlightenment (let's say the second half of the 18th century, one landmark was Emile by Rousseau), most central-european theory of pedagogy has a specific vision of an ideal of a developed human being (or species) to strive for. It's centered around development of practical, cultural and emotional skills, reasoning, the ability to assess the own actions relative to the state and necessities of society as a whole. Something like the living according to the categorical imperative of Kant while not feeling deprived of the own needs.