ABSTRACT
Education is often associated with human capital in economics. Education as a means to enhance economic productivity is certainly important. But there is an additional role of education other than enhancing productivity and job skills. This is the role of education in helping the individual to achieve a more fulfilling life. To do this it will be necessary to nurture in students a respect for life, an understanding of the distinction between ends and means, and a reflective and free spirit, all of which ultimately enable them to make the most out of their lives. In addition to developing cognitive and job skills, education should nurture a culture of respect for life and creative expression—not necessarily in order to build a commercially viable “creative industry” but as “self-actualization” à la Maslow—a spontaneous expression that reflects the natural aspirations inherent in human nature, and thus to promote the quality of the human existence.
