This article considers the main aspects of the discussion about the concept of open-mindedness in
modern English-speaking philosophy of education. It emphasizes the importance of the topic for
national pedagogy, which is currently in composite dialogue with world traditions of understanding
the educational process. Open-mindedness is considered as an element of an extensive terminological
system. The need to clarify the meaning of the concept is associated with its role in determining
the criteria for the distinction between education and indoctrination. The article presents the
most significant definitions of open-mindedness and indicates that the external obviousness of the
concept contrasts with the difficulty of finding its consistent definition. It finds that the key feature
of the experience in interpreting open-mindedness is the increase in educational requirements.
It summarizes the main objections raised to various aspects of a theoretical understanding of the
concept. The author considers it logical to abandon attempts to implement the ideal of absolute
rational open-mindedness in teaching. In general, the discourse on open-mindedness shows the
impossibility of avoiding discussion about the development of a subject in any attempt to determine
the meaning of education. The article presents the research prospects in rethinking the role of
rationality in the process of making a man and the world.