Ognevyuk V. Education within the system of values of steady human development (outlook and methodology aspect)

The thesis presents social and philosophical analysis of education with the view of the priority of steady human development; outlook and methodological grounds of understanding and improving the basic content, structure and functions of modern Ukrainian education, creating and realizing its value potential while integrating into the world educational system. In the context of analyzing education as a social institution it is proven that its main components comprise not only corresponding branches of educational knowledge but also specific for it: forms of human activities, a certain set of human relationships in the field of education, a particular system of values and norms in the sphere of education; a network of organizations, establishments and institutions specific for education. The thesis provides philosophical and axiological interpretation of education as one of the most important human values, its place and role in the system of values of steady social development which serves as the aim ofthe transformational processes in our country. Correspondingly, it presents a system of educational values and norms since it is not just one of the crucial, internal and organic components of education as an integral and at the same time well-structured social institution but it also greatly influences the character and the tempo of social dynamics of the value system of the contemporary Ukrainian society as a whole. The thesis demonstrates that advancement in the field of education is not a mere linear developmental process but it becomes possible through all the new uses, each time under different conditions, of certain permanent educational invariables - patterns, images, models, instructions, etc., among which a special place is occupied by peculiar eternal spiritual values of Ukrainian culture.