This chapter consolidates the core principles that underpin the post-Enlightenment vision of self-education. It outlines a framework in which genuine learning is understood as a personal value judgment, emerging from an person’s engagement with past experiences and present needs while being oriented toward future aspirations. By distinguishing self-education from state-imposed curricular demands, the chapter advocates for educational practices that foster metacognition, flexibility, and authentic personal development, ultimately challenging the remnants of paternalism in contemporary educational discourse.