Purpose of Adult Education

Overview & Synopsis

The purpose of this conceptual paper was to propose an ultimate goal and purpose for the field and practice of adult education. A literature search was conducted to delineate historical philosophies of education that inform the current state of education, including adult education. Furthermore, building upon the rudiments of adult education extant an end goal for the field is presented. The conceptual proposal emphasizes the critical need for the pursuit of foundational truths in the human experience. This is akin to notions of Essentialism and Perennialism. This paper contends that adult education can significantly assist humanity by July preparing adults to more effectively, efficaciously, realistically, and wisely interface the epochal markers in earthly existence. Thus, in order to commence such a litany of admirable traits in adulthood, it is proposed that adult education must involve itself in the business of acquiring and propagating information that leads to, integrates with, and logically yields that which is right, virtuous and timelessly true.