Conceptual elements in E.R. Dashkova's views on the education of the managerial elite

Abstract

The article discusses the views of Princess E.R. Dashkova, the director of the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences and founder of the Russian Academy, on the goals, objectives, and methods of educating the managerial elite. The study aims to identify the key concepts in E.R. Dashkova's views on the education of the elite, as expressed in her written works and personal correspondence. The study employs a combination of historical and textual analysis methods (systemic, terminological, and discursive) and historical and situational analysis techniques. The author concludes that E.R. Dashkova's texts on upbringing and education clearly reflect her conceptualized views on the subject. This applies to the object of educational activity - the young generation of the managerial elite, its goal setting (preparation for «serving the Fatherland»), and the methodology for analyzing the educational process in Russia. Dashkova's concept of education relies on three principles: a) teaching by personal example, or more likely, training through practical learning; b) permanent supervision by the educator, regardless of the student's age; c) «reasonable» education focused on the needs of society. Her principles of education, which she refers to as «axioms», are the most fully developed part of her views. The influence of John Locke, Helvetius, and Holbach's theoretical constructs on E.R. Dashkova's views is clearly visible in these axioms. The least developed part of her approach are the methods of training young representatives of the managerial elite. It also includes the set of applicable instruments needed to achieve the expected result.