The basic principle of eternalism about education is that "the world is knowable and innovation is infinite", and the task of education is to promote the development of eternal humanity with the help of understanding eternal truth. This traditional school of education, also known as neoclassical education, insists that the past is excellent.

Eternists emphasize that reason is the foundation of human nature. The stability of social order depends on a rational culture based on the eternal principle of truth, goodness and beauty. Ignore these rational cultures, and society will be unstable because of the collapse of spiritual pillars. On the basis of advocating "eternal value", eternalism established the curriculum standard of "retro".