Usually, in the western world, educational theorists say education is larger than just schooling, and continues, or should continue, after schooling finishes. They point to the Latin origin of the word education, ''educare'', to draw out, to lead out. They say the purpose of education is to lead a person to self-actualise themselves and reach their own potential by gently guiding them onto the path of self-education. But in reality, most people do not distinguish between education and schooling.

This method of education is derived from the great centres of learning in western Europe, both the [[monasticism|monastic]] centres, and their offshoots, the universities. All were profoundly influenced by the thinking and practice of the Dominicans and their greatest educational theorist and educator, Saint [[Thomas Aquinas]]. The method which developed out of his teachings is known as the Scholastic method.