The devil's strategy to ruin children? The wisdom of our ancestors is the answer.

 The devil's strategy to ruin children? The wisdom of our ancestors is the answer.

Many people in the world aspire to become great. There was a time when boys would answer "president" and girls "Miss Korea" when asked about their childhood dreams. However, as they grow, they hear phrases like "What on earth are you going to become?" This society forces a life of "having to become something."

When asked about their future aspirations, most middle and high school students answer, "Going to college." It is a bitter reality that college can be a dream. It's heartbreaking to see students and parents pour everything into college entrance exams. Is it truly a correct education to make them obsessed with grades and rankings?

Recently, a question and answer with an AI made many people think. When the AI was asked, "If you were the devil, how would you ruin the children of South Korea?" the answer was chillingly realistic.

The devil said it would not act directly but would whisper behind the mother's lips. It would say, "If you don't study and compare yourself to the kid next door, you'll ruin your life," and advise, "Just memorize the math problems," making children consider thinking time useless and abandon the habit of asking questions. It would also change the standard of happiness by making grades equal love and rankings equal their value.

Ultimately, children would not have time to think for themselves amidst school, cram schools, private tutoring, and homework. The devil's strategy would become a "quiet infection," and the most perfect moment would be when that child grows up and raises their own child in the same way. This spooky AI answer accurately points out the current state of our education.

Education for true happiness, finding the answer in our ancestors

By reversing the AI devil's strategy, the right direction for education becomes visible. Instead of nagging, trust your child and don't compare them to others. Let them know that they can live well even if they don't do well in school. When a child struggles with a math problem, it is necessary to encourage them to persevere and help them develop the habit of thinking deeply.

Constantly tell them that happiness is not determined by grades or rankings. Teach them that a valuable life is about making people around them happy, and it's important to educate them to make these values a family motto or life goal.

In the age of AI, morality becomes far more important than mere outstanding ability. AI, which is faster and more accurate than humans, will take over many jobs. Therefore, how moral and virtuous a person is will become more important than how capable they are. This is because the direction of education must change from simply learning knowledge to nurturing complete human beings.

However, it is surprising that this method of education is something our ancestors have been doing for a long time. Ancestors did not just make them memorize characters but learned and practiced the thoughts and philosophies contained within them.

Su-shin (修身) - The importance of character cultivation

Our ancestors' education started with Su-shin (修身), which is the act of cultivating oneself correctly. The core of education was fostering character, and they considered it important to bring out the inherent goodness in a person. They emphasized practical virtues such as filial piety, brotherhood, loyalty, trust, propriety, righteousness, integrity, and a sense of shame, teaching life manners.

Even if you have never studied 'Sohak,' you might think these teachings are irrelevant to us, but that is not the case. Without realizing it, we have internalized the importance of courtesy, respect for elders, and a warmth that shows consideration for others. This is probably because our ancestors' teachings are deeply rooted.

The miracle of South Korea created by moral education

The main reason many developing countries fail to become developed countries is corruption. Looking at how countless nations have collapsed at the threshold of being developed, the reason becomes clear. However, South Korea was able to leap into a developed nation thanks to its strong national character, which can even oust a president.

It is truly ironic that South Korea, which seems to have taught only obsession with grades and rankings, could hold peaceful protests against injustice. South Korea is said to be the only country that developed its economy, education, and democracy simultaneously. The driving force behind all this development is ultimately moral education.

In fact, not many developed countries have proper moral education. The United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany only teach the spirit of law-abiding behavior at the level of civic education. Even Japan officially created a moral subject in elementary school only in 2018.

Since liberation, Korea has consistently emphasized the importance of moral education. Although the names have changed to 'National Ethics,' 'Ethics and Ideology,' and 'Life and Ethics,' morality has continued as an independent subject.

The AI devil's strategy mentioned earlier may seem plausible, but it ultimately could not defeat the moral education and the culture of courtesy and respect that are deeply embedded in us. This is probably thanks to the great teachings of our ancestors. Now is the time for us to reflect on those teachings once again.