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PEDAGOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY
Maria Montessori
PEDAGOGICALANTHROPOLOGY
BY
MARIA MONTESSORI
Author of "The Montessori Method"
TRANSLATED FROM THE ITALIAN BY
FREDERIC TABER COOPER
WITH 163 ILLUSTRATIONS AND DIAGRAMS
NEW YORK
FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY
MCMXIII
Copyright, 1913, by
Frederick A. Stokes Company
All rights reserved, including that of translation into foreignlanguages, including the Scandinavian
July, 1913
THE·MAPLE·PRESS·YORK·PA·
TOMY MOTHERRENILDE STOPPANIAND MY FATHERALESSANDRO MONTESSORION THE OCCASION OF THE FORTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARYOF THEIR UNCLOUDED UNION, I DEDICATE THISBOOK, FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT OF LOVE ANDCONTENTMENT WITH WHICH THEYHAVE INSPIRED ME
PREFACE
For some time past much has been said in Italy regardingPedagogical Anthropology; but I do not think that until now anyattempt has been made to define a science corresponding to sucha title; that is to say, a method that systematises the positivestudy of the pupil for pedagogic purposes and with a view toestablishing philosophic principles of education.
As soon as anthropology annexes the adjective, "pedagogical,"it should base its scope upon the fundamental conception of apossible amelioration of man, founded upon the positive knowledgeof the laws of human life. In contrast to general anthropologywhich, starting from a basis of positive data founded onobservation, mounts toward philosophic problems regarding theorigin of man, pedagogic anthropology, starting from an analogousbasis of observation and research, must rise to philosophic conceptionsregarding the future destiny of man from the biologicalpoint of view. The study of congenital anomalies and of theirbiological and social origin, must undoubtedly form a part ofpedagogical anthropology, in order to afford a positive basis for auniversal human hygiene, whose sole field of action must be theschool; but an even greater importance is assumed by the studyof defects of growth in the normal man; because the battle againstthese evidently constitutes the practical avenue for a wide regenerationof mankind.
If in the future a scientific pedagogy is destined to rise, it willdevote itself to the education o