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001 8940
003 UtSlPG
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040 _aUtSlPG
041 7 _aen
_2iso639-1
050 4 _aLC
100 1 _aFoster, John,
_d1770-1843
245 1 3 _aAn Essay on the Evils of Popular Ignorance
264 1 _aSalt Lake City, UT :
_bProject Gutenberg,
_c2005
300 _a1 online resource :
_bmultiple file formats
336 _atext
_btxt
_2rdacontent
337 _acomputer
_bc
_2rdamedia
338 _aonline resource
_bcr
_2rdacarrier
500 _aRelease date is 2005-09-01
508 _aProduced by Distributed Proofreaders
520 _a"An Essay on the Evils of Popular Ignorance" by John Foster is a philosophical essay written in the early 19th century that addresses the profound issues resulting from widespread ignorance among the populace. In the text, Foster explores how this lack of knowledge contributes to moral degradation, societal unrest, and national decline, positing that ignorance is not merely a benign absence of information but a critical force behind vice and misery. He employs historical examples, particularly focusing on the ancient Jewish and pagan societies, to demonstrate how ignorance leads to destructive behaviors and societal ramifications. The opening of the essay lays the groundwork for Foster's arguments by highlighting the calamities associated with ignorance. He reflects on the general indifference towards the suffering caused by widespread ignorance, drawing connections to the historical consequences and deplorable conditions of societies that have neglected education. Through a series of observations, Foster critiques those in power who perpetuate this state of ignorance, emphasizing the need for a concerted effort to educate the masses to avert national disaster. The beginning establishes a tone of urgency and a moral imperative for better educational practices, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of how knowledge can lead to societal improvement and personal fulfillment. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
534 _nOriginal publication data not identified
653 _aEducation
653 _aMissions -- India
653 _aGreat Britain -- Social conditions -- 19th century
653 _aReligious education
653 _aLiteracy
856 4 0 _uhttps://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/8940
999 _c50860
_d50860