indoctrination

education and politics

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July 17, 2026

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Indoctrination is a form of teaching aimed at instilling specific beliefs, often independent of evidential support. While historically it meant simply "to teach," its modern connotation is often negative, akin to "brainwashing". This process can involve methods that prevent individuals from independently questioning or evaluating beliefs.12

In political contexts, such as under communism, education and indoctrination are often indistinguishable. The goal is to create citizens with new loyalties and outlooks, often promoting a specific ideology or doctrine. This can involve extensive propaganda and a curriculum that emphasizes political ideology over critical thinking. The effectiveness and permanence of indoctrination depend on individual personality and the degree to which the environment reinforces the new beliefs.324

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philosophy of education
Indoctrination
A much-debated question is whether and how education differs from indoctrination. Many theorists have assumed that the two are distinct and that indoctrination is undesirable, but others have argued that there is no difference in principle and that indoctrination is not intrinsically bad. Theories…
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A much-debated question is whether and how education differs from indoctrination. Many theorists have assumed that the two are distinct and that indoctrination is undesirable, but others have argued that there is no difference in principle and that indoctrination is not intrinsically bad. Theories…
Read More