The paradox about the Reformation is that, rather than consolidating European Christendom, it contributed to deepening the rifts between Catholics and Protestants as well as Lutherans and Calvinists, bringing about religious and civil strife. Comenius got involved in the antagonistic circumstances through his political philosophy, aspiring to weeding out the causes of hatred and mutual disagreement. This abiding endeavour of his achieved prominence in Panorthosia (Universal Improvement), which renders his best vision of permanent reconciliation resting upon educational, religious and civil reforms. Comenius' ethical pursuit of improving human matters is rooted in his philosophical thought regarding man as an individual whose purpose in this world is to be humane: wise, moral and pious.

Herbart's scientific educational theory pointed to the fact that the application of pedagogical ideas in educational practices would brought a guaranteed outcome with a regular, mathematical precision. Herbart he was personally aware that this system contains the danger of formalism and unilateral intellectualism and therefore he endeavored, in theory, to overcome the concept of educational learning. This emphasis, however, was neglected by his pupils and followers.