"Life-oriented theory" closely links the purpose of education with the life of the educated. They either put forward the theory that education should prepare for future life or the theory that education should adapt to life, because education is life itself. The typical representatives in this respect are Spencer and Dewey.

Education prepares for life theory

Spencer clearly put forward the idea of "education prepares for life" for the first time (also known as "education prepares for life").

Education is life.

Dewey was dissatisfied with Spencer's educational view of preparing for a perfect life, and put forward the famous viewpoints of "education is life", "education is growth" and "school is society".