THE OPINIONS OF SEVERAL EXISTENTIAL THINKERS AND OTHER PHILOSOPHERS PROVIDE A FRAMEWORK FOR THIS DISCUSSION OF THE CRISIS OF MODERN CIVILIZATION. IT IS FELT THAT EDUCATION BOTH REFLECTS AND IS A FORCE IN THE STANDARDIZATION, MECHANIZATION, AND DEHUMANIZATION OF CONTEMPORARY LIFE. HOWEVER, EDUCATION CAN PLAY A CONSTRUCTIVE ROLE AS AN INSTRUMENT OF CHANGE. TO DO SO, EDUCATIONAL THEORY SHOULD BE REORIENTED TO EMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF "CONCRETE ACTUALITY," AND INNER-DIRECTEDNESS, AND MEANINGFUL RELATIONS WITHOUT DOGMATISM. IN THIS WAY EDUCATION CAN BECOME THE "TOOL OF SURVIVAL" FOR MODERN MAN. THIS ARTICLE WAS PUBLISHED IN "PHI DELTA KAPPAN," VOLUME 43, NUMBER 7, APRIL 1962. (NH)