Education is not solely based on books but also experiences which also affiliates with common sense. The human mind is born with reasoning in which accentuates on sensation and reflection.
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Week 6: “The American Scholar”
Emerson places an emphasis on nature and how it alters our thoughts. The quote “The first in time and the first in importance of the influences upon the mind is that of nature” (Emerson, 2) showcases that nature plays a major role in one’s life. His ideology is that people try to understand the world through theories, history, studies, and what people say instead of experience it themselves. People are so focused at what books say, that they don’t try to understand it by themselves. Emerson accentuates that books are important and are “nothing but to inspire” (Emerson, 4). His solution is that direct contact with nature is the best option to gain better insight for understanding the world.
I agree on Emerson’s philosophy. People rely too much on what people have to say. Our reliance on facts, theories, historians, is restricting them on observing nature. Instead of reading other people’s ideas and thoughts, people should gain inspiration from nature. “The hour is too precious to be wasted in other men’s transcripts of their readings” (Emerson, 5). One must be inspired in order to create something themselves.
A quote that connects to Rousseau’s idea of children being born without innate ideas but are influenced by other people around them are “In the right state….when the victim of society, he tends to become a mere thinker or still worse, the parrot of other men’s thinking” (Emerson). They both have connecting ideology of how someone always influences one’s thinking. People are so influenced by society that they don’t care to think on their own.
Emerson and even Locke see the true value of school and books has on humans. School and books are main foundations for one’s knowledge. However, books and schools aren’t the only way to get education. When one merely relies on books and school it takes away from the individual from learning on their own. A person is more than a book, they have active soul and thoughts. “Instead of Man Thinking, we have the bookworm (Emerson, 5). School and books prevent one from having an active soul. Schooling is only good when it comes to learning the fundamentals however it is detrimental when it forces students to learn. “..But they can only highly serve us, when they aim not to drill” (Emerson, 6). School and books lessens creativity and hurts one’s experience of learning. Both Emerson and Locke believe that school and books can be a tool for success but isn’t the only aspect of success. “Books are the best of things, we used; abused, among the worse” (Emerson,4) It can cause more harm than good when is it misused.
“Books are the best of things, well used; abused, among the worst” (Emerson 4).
Paper Brainstorm Exercise #1
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The struggle to fit in
In the novel Frankenstein: The Modern Prometheus, the monster gains knowledge through experience but is left in isolation. He discovers fire and experiences the heat it provided him (Shelley, 11). Throughout this reading, it accentuates on Rousseau’s theory of having to learn for oneself and by allowing the child the opportunity to discover and experience, then be told by someone else (Rousseau, 15). This is exemplified when he put his hand into the live embers, but he quickly took it out again with a cry of pain. Through experience the monster learned that fire keeps you warm and it can also cause pain if you touch it.
The monster was isolated and left on his own. He has no prior knowledge of anything. Because he was hungry and tired, he gained experiences and his knowledge builds. He learns that fire is hot and keeps you warm and how to collect food. Through his journey of getting food, he learns his hierarchy in society. When a man saw him, he screamed and ran away in which the monster realized that he is not human and decides he isn’t a typical human. The monster soon lives in a hut in which he learns the basic knowledge of language by listening in to his neighbors, learns how to read and obtain knowledge of the world. “Of what a strange nature is knowledge!” The monster tried to gain the approval of his neighbors but was attacked by them and let him isolated. The monster retaliates and seeks revenge on all humans. Because of this incident the monster kills innocent people.
The novel emphasizes that knowledge is dangerous. Frankenstein depicts the same isolation aspect of Emile. On education, Rousseau stressed that Emile should think not think of others but should think more on herself. “He is alone in the midst of human society, he depends on himself alone…” (Rousseau, 23). Although the monster is physically and emotionally isolated, he thinks more for himself and observes his neighbor to better understand the world and to learn more knowledge. The story accentuates on the monsters experiences, how he wants to understand and fit in.
Rousseau & Emile
In Emile: or A Treatise on education, Rousseau says for a child to grow up healthy is to live in a state of nature and not be pressured. It emphasizes that children shouldn’t have to deal with formal education and strict regulations. Children should be allowed to explore the world and learn from the things they see and experience. Children should enjoy their adolescence days and not be pressured to learn everything so quickly. They should take their time to learn and experience things. “Nature would have them children before they are men. If we try to invert this order we shall produce a forced fruit immature and flavourless, fruit which will be rotten before it is ripe; we shall have young doctors and old children” (Rousseau, 7). Rousseau is accentuating on the fact that in order to have intelligent children we must follow the order of education. Following the order of education, will allow the child to grow and learn and “ripe.”
Rousseau highlights how to teach children. Visually showing a child (learning based) has a significant impact rather than teaching from books. When you visually show a child, they learn and actually have a better understanding of what is being taught. “…Never substitute the symbol for the thing signified, unless it is impossible to show the thing itself” (Rousseau 16.) Rousseau showcases this when Emilie and him were exploring a forest and were trying to find their way back home. Emile was tired and gave up. Nevertheless, Rousseau helped them find their way back. This experience helped Emile actually learn instead of forgetting what one learns if it was a lecture taught at home or school. “Teach by doing whenever you can, and only fall back upon words when doing is out of the question” (Rousseau 20). Experience plays a vital role on learning. Rousseau’s ideology is connected to Locke’s idea about experience.
Happiness of a children’s childhood is very important to Rousseau’s ideology. Every child may not live to become a man and therefore they should enjoy their childhood. Rousseau questions that why should we invest so much time in education if you don’t know if you will live another day. It takes bravery to choose the less taken, hard road and not regret the decisions we choose.
The concept of the human mind: Descartes vs. Locke
Descartes and Locke are doubtful about knowledge. Descartes went to school and received an education, however questioned what he had learned in school. He believed that school can be helpful even if it doesn’t go far enough. School is only a small part of one’s life. He obtained education from “excellent books.” Nevertheless, he emphasized that “books should not be the basis of our knowledge” (Descartes, 3). Learning is everywhere and one shouldn’t solely rely on books. He believed that there was so much to learn and he needed to know. He asked questions that schools didn’t have the answers for. This led him to believe that school wasn’t going to help in the future because he wasn’t getting answers. As soon as Descartes finished school, he found himself in many doubts and he was “convinced [he] had [not] advanced no farther” (Descartes, 1). He was still ignorant and naïve and wanted to know what the world was about. Descartes main ideology is that knowledge relies on absolute certainty and that some principles are known by humans.
Locke doesn’t believe that there is certain knowledge. He believes that “all ideas come from sensation and reflection” and that all knowledge is founded on experience (Locke, 2) John Locke questions philosophers like René Descartes. Locke argues that the human mind doesn’t have innate, intuitive ideas but much rather humans are born with reasoning. Locke believes that humans are not born with basic principles of logic such as a triangle has three sides because these ideas are innate. Locke criticizes the possibility of innate theoretical principles. Locke’s response to the idea of innate ideas is that it is unclear. He questions the whole concept and believes that it is impossible for something to be in the mind without one being aware of it. He concludes that in order for something to be in the mind, to be mental, it has to be conscious. Locke analyzes the problems of memory. People are not conscious of memories however they are in the mind. There is also non-conscious principles and knowledge. In order for innate ideas to get into the mind we had at one time to be conscious and aware of these memories. Locke criticizes the chances of innate principles. He questions the theories and emphasizes that if in fact there are any innate principles, then everyone would agree to them. There are no principles that everyone agrees upon therefore, there are no innate principles. Locke is very meticulous in indicating that there are no principles to which everyone would agree upon. He proves his proof as a logical argument: the nativist (believes in the existence of innate principles) believes that there are certain theoretical principles to which everyone would agree to which Locke disagrees.
The human mind is a perplex concept in which triggers one to interpret it in different light. There are numerous amounts of perspective on the human mind. With so many philosophies and ideologies of the mind, many ideas contradict and even question one’s thoughts. John Locke questions philosophers like René Descartes. Locke argues that the human mind doesn’t have innate, intuitive ideas but much rather humans are born with reasoning. Locke believes that humans are not born with basic principles of logic such as a triangle has three sides because these ideas are innate. Locke criticizes the possibility of innate theoretical principles.
I agree with Locke to an extent. I believe that humans are born with some type of knowledge for example, knowing who our mom is. Nevertheless, we aren’t born with common sense instantly when we are born. We gain common sense as we get older and exposed to more things in life. We instantly don’t know that fire is hot. We use our senses to figure that out and by others telling us that fire is hot. Simple knowledge like that isn’t gained when we are just born. It takes time for us to realize the little things. Another example is we don’t believe in God immediately after we are born. We learn about God through our parents and peers. After learning about God, we then choose to believe or not believe in God. Innate ideas don’t just come to the human mind. Not all ideas are directly linked to the mind.
School ≠ Learning but education= ∞
Bach’s speech emphasizes on how school doesn’t define oneself. He accentuates that learning doesn’t equal school and that you can learn on your own if you have the right mindset. School isn’t essential in becoming successful nevertheless, learning is. He also explains that laziness doesn’t exist and that if you are hungry, you would do anything to satisfy that hunger. Therefore, if you want to learn something, you would do whatever it takes to learn it. While Bach talks about his life experience and how education isn’t all that, the teacher seemed skeptical and didn’t like Bach’s ideology. Schools and the teachers are brainwashing the students that education=schools, so when Bach didn’t agree with this idea, the teacher told him that the speech was “dangerous” for the children. She considered it “dangerous” because she believed that what Bach said doesn’t apply to the students. Some students aren’t eager to learn and wouldn’t do the extra work to learn. Bach dismisses the teacher’s comment that his speech was “dangerous” because he was honest and used life experiences. He wasn’t just saying things. He has been through it and feels what the students feel. He understands what they are going through and why they might believe that school isn’t necessary. What Bach had to say wasn’t wrong but it wasn’t conventional and what schools have taught kids for ages. Bach and the teacher’s mentality aren’t the same. Bach thought school doesn’t help students learn but the teachers think otherwise. He believes that the school system is corrupted and all they want is tests scores to be high so the school looks good instead of actually teaching the kids about real life and what they need to know to help them succeed. School is temporary but education is forever.
Kanye West’s approach on school and education is different from Bach. Kanye believes that school is everything. Schools provide opportunities and resources to help one be successful. He believes that not everyone has it easy but school can help you do well. For Kanye, school is an important resource for education. Kanye is being more realistic and saying that yes you can drop out but once you do, its hard work to bring yourself up, do well and become successful. Not everyone can drop out and become successful. In order to dropout and become successful, one must have drive and do whatever it takes to be successful (extra reading, experimenting, networking, etc.) Kanye said, “It is true you can be successful without [college], but this is a hard world, a real world, and you want every advantage you can have” (Moss). West recommends that students should not take his approach but to stay in school to get every opportunity possible.
Even though West and Bach’s beliefs about school is different, there are some overlaps. The first one is that they both believe that education (in general) is the key factor in becoming successful. Another similarity is that they are both successful because they had something that excited them therefore they pushed themselves to learn more about it and do something about it. They both had a drive and passion to something that interests them and motivates them. Bach studied software engineering and became a software test manager at Apple Computer and West studied music and became a rap artist. Although they both have different career paths, they both had ambition and aspirations that pushed them to their limits.