Summary Of Fukuzawa's Encouragement Of Learning

In the introduction of his autobiography, Fukuzawa Yukichi is described as a leader that felt it was not enough for Japan to simply have have the “things” of civilization. In order to truly reach a state of civilization, the processes of removal and reorganization were required. Furthermore, in Fukuzawa’s “Encouragement of Learning”, he expresses his opinion that all people should be taught to read Western languages in addition to having the ability to grasp the content and meaning of the subjects of Geography, Physics, History, Economics, and Ethics. He suggests that if people have the ability to do so, they will be able to search for the truth of the things of the world and use them when their present situation requires it. He feels that these subjects are matters in which everyone should have interest, no matter their individual or collective rank or position.
Although, in order to be able to truly grasp the true meaning of civilization and education, one must be willing to acknowledge their place in society. While all men are born free and unrestricted, if people try to assert this freedom while selfishly infringing upon the freedom of others, nothing that can be gained. It is in this place of greed that Fukuzawa’s view of “loss” can be found. When one’s own selfishness infringes on another’s ability to “gain”, they are preventing themselves from having a true education and, therefore, preventing the process of civilization as a whole. In order to “gain”, one must be unselfish. When people are able to do this correctly, they will be able to achieve independence as an individual, as a family, and as a