Public Chilean education: An exam from John Searle’s social ontology

Abstract

This paper deals with Chilean public education from the perspective of social ontology. Firstly, I briefly explain crucial elements of social ontology in order to give sense to the thesis I argue for: public education is an institution for institutions. Secondly, I show in what sense public education prepares one to navigate in social reality. It teaches postponing personal desires in order to serve, which is the essence of institutional rationality. Finally, a historic-paradigmatic experience is examined, Instituto Nacional, an epitome of Chilean public education. The fact that a number of presidents, ministers, scientists and humanists have been educated by this school confirms that public education is an institution for institutions.