It's back to school time again. I know this not because I'm a teacher, but because when I drive around town I no longer have to dodge kids on skateboards trying to run into my large blue North Korean BMW.
With everyone between 5-18 back to school and the college kids moving into dorms and heading back into their apartments, I think we should reflect back on what the purpose of a liberal arts education is.
While many have ideas on the purpose of education, the main purpose is to conform people into society.
It's not to educate. Test scores show that.
It's not to inspire. How many kids are trying to conquer the world these days? Alexander the Great took over the world by 18. Most 16 year olds don't know how to make their bed.
It's not to prepare. How does a few hours a week of a bunch of random subjects really prepare anyone for anything?
No. The purpose of education is to get people used to waking up early, get to their work place, have a lunch break, and then leave in the late afternoon. And for a few dads there are sports, but thats a whole other issue.
Should this be the purpose? Ehhh...maybe. Sure it would be great to think that kids all across America are learning to love math and English and history, but in reality what does a "love of" anything even accomplish?
As an English dude I realize that my degrees (B.A. and M.A.) in literature really don't amount to much outside of academia. It's not like people hear about my Masters Degree and shake in their boots or want to kiss my pinkie toe ring. In reality, loving literature or science or math or history simply doesn't pay the bills or afford the toys. DOING something with literature, science, math or history can pay the bills, but simply teaching people to love such things really doesn't accomplish much.
So this upcoming school year, try not to just "love" what you are learning...but actually use your knowledge to be better and make the world better around you.
No comments:
Post a Comment