“They saw their injured country's woe;
The flaming town, the wasted field;
Then rushed to meet the insulting foe;
They took the spear, - but left the shield.”
―Philip Freneau
.
And by a prudent flight and cunning save A life which valour could not, from the grave. A better buckler I can soon regain, But who can get another life again?
Archilochus
Nietzsche, "On the Future of Our Educational Institutions"
"I believe I have already hinted at the quarter in which the cry for the greatest possible expansion of education is most loudly raised. This expansion belongs to the most beloved of the dogmas of modern political economy. As much knowledge and education as possible; therefore the greatest possible supply and demand—hence as much happiness as possible:—that is the formula. In this case utility is made the object and goal of education—utility in the sense of gain—the greatest possible pecuniary gain. In the quarter now under consideration culture would be defined as that point of vantage which enables one to 'keep in the van of one's age,' from which one can see all the easiest and best roads to wealth, and with which one controls all the means of communication between men and nations. The purpose of education, according to this scheme, would be to rear the most 'current' men possible—'current' being used here in the sense in which it is applied to the coins of the realm. The greater the number of such men, the happier a nation will be; and this precisely is the purpose of our modern educational institutions: to help every one, as far as his nature will allow, to become 'current'; to develop him so that his particular degree of knowledge and science may yield him the greatest possible amount of happiness and pecuniary gain. Every one must be able to form some sort of estimate of himself; he must know how much he may reasonably expect from life. The 'bond between intelligence and property' which this point of view postulates has almost the force of a moral principle. In this quarter all culture is loathed which isolates, which sets goals beyond gold and gain, and which requires time: it is customary to dispose of such eccentric tendencies in education as systems of 'Higher Egotism,' or of "Immoral Culture—Epicureanism.' According to the morality reigning here, the demands are quite different; what is required above all is 'rapid education,' so that a money-earning creature may be produced with all speed; there is even a desire to make this education so thorough that a creature may be reared that will be able to earn a great deal of money. Men are allowed only the precise amount of culture which is compatible with the interests of gain; but that amount, at least, is expected from them. In short: mankind has a necessary right to happiness on earth—that is why culture is necessary—but on that account alone!"
"I must just say something here," said the philosopher. "In the case of the view you have described so clearly, there arises the great and awful danger that at some time or other the great masses may overleap the middle classes and spring headlong into this earthly bliss. That is what is now called 'the social question.' It might seem to these masses that education for the greatest number of men was only a means to the earthly bliss of the few: the 'greatest possible expansion of education' so enfeebles education that it can no longer confer privileges or inspire respect. The most general form of culture is simply barbarism. But I do not wish to interrupt your discussion."
"In all cultivated circles people are in the habit of whispering to one another words something after this style: that it is a general fact that, owing to the present frantic exploitation of the scholar in the service of his science, his education becomes every day more accidental and more uncertain. For the study of science has been extended to such interminable lengths that he who, though not exceptionally gifted, yet possesses fair abilities, will need to devote himself exclusively to one branch and ignore all others if he ever wish to achieve anything in his work. Should he then elevate himself above the herd by means of his specialty, he still remains one of them in regard to all else—that is to say, in regard to all the most important things in life. Thus, a specialist in science gets to resemble nothing so much as a factory workman who spends his whole life in turning one particular screw or handle on a certain instrument or machine, at which occupation he acquires the most consummate skill. In Germany, where we know how to drape such painful facts with the glorious garments of fancy, this narrow specialization on the part of our learned men is even admired, and their ever greater deviation from the path of true culture is regarded as a moral phenomenon. 'Fidelity in small things,' 'dogged faithfulness,' become expressions of highest eulogy, and the lack of culture outside the specialty is flaunted abroad as a sign of noble sufficiency.
"For centuries it has been an understood thing that one alluded to scholars alone when one spoke of cultured men; but experience tells us that it would be difficult to find any necessary relation between the two classes today. For at present the exploitation of a man for the purpose of science is accepted everywhere without the slightest scruple. Who still ventures to ask, What may be the value of a science which consumes its minions in this vampire fashion? The division of labor in science is practically struggling towards the same goal which religions in certain parts of the world are consciously striving after—that is to say, towards the decrease and even the destruction of learning. That, however, which, in the case of certain religions, is a perfectly justifiable aim, both in regard to their origin and their history, can only amount to self-immolation when transferred to the realm of science. In all matters of a general and serious nature, and above all, in regard to the highest philosophical problems, we have now already reached a point at which the scientific man, as such, is no longer allowed to speak. On the other hand, that adhesive and tenacious stratum which has now filled up the interstices between the sciences—Journalism—believes it has a mission to fulfill here, and this it does, according to its own particular lights—that is to say, as its name implies, after the fashion of a day-laborer.
I've been painfully aware of the manifold deficiencies in a purely "Science-Based Approach to Education" for a long time, FJ.
Without increased awareness of sensitivity to and appreciation of Aesthetics, Spirituality, Metaphysics, and a warm, loving, intimate contact with Mother Earth, a healthy respect for the products needed for day-to-day living that came from the soil and an affectionate regard for those who produce and process them, we lose contact with what-it-means-to-be fully HUMAN. A truly hideous phenomenon that seems to have overtaken us in the past fifty years.
"There is no Life, Truth, Intelligence or Substance in MATTER. All is infinite MIND and it's nfinite mafesatiins, for GOD is All-in-All. Spirit is immortal Truth. Matter is mortal Error. Sport is God, and Man is His imge and ieness, therefore MAN is not MATERIALl, he is SPIRITUAL."
ALSO:
Our Father-Mother-Creator GOD may be defined as the personification, amalgamation, and perfect expression of LOVE, TRUTH, BEAUTY, PRINCIPLE, MIND (Perception, Intelligence and Creativity), SOUL (Character, Individuality, Personality), SPIRIT (Animating, Motivating Force, and LIFE, itself.
Those two radical statements came from the great American mystic Mary Baker Eddy, the discoverer and founder of Christian Science –– a movement religious fundamentalists, cynics, and materialists have been wildly eager to dengrate and dismiss since it arrived on the scene –– attitudes which, of course greatly ATTRACTED me to Christian Science.
I never became a Christian Scientist, for many reasons I can't get into here, but I studied it seriously for about ten years, attended CS church services through high school and college, and left the movement feeling that Mrs. EDDY was really ON to Somethng Big, and that many of her writings have great merit, and are filled with Practical Wisdom and Sound Advice on how best to interpret the Scriptures and to live one's Life.Her insight's into what the Bible really means have been a great help to me for sixty-five years.
BUT, ––s with all the temporal organizations that set themselves up to Spread the Gospel ––, the Human Element –– that diabolical lust to gain Power and Control over Others –– marred the Christian. Science Church as it has all the others,and so the Forces of Darkness, –– who live only to denigrate, debunk, deride, discredit, dismiss and destroy GOOD –– always have plenty of ammuntion to throw at "those who earnestly seek to do good."
Human foibles, however, CANNOT destroy TRUTH, which is GOD.
If I didn't believe that, I would never have survived and dine as well as I have.
One thing's for sure: WE DON'T LIVE BY BREAD ALONE.
8 comments:
A lot of good talent in; this. It's very polished, BUT I wish these clever ykung people had used their gifts on more interesting musical material.
...but this is the Age of Science, Franco. There are no 'other' interests. ;)
Nietzsche, "On the Future of Our Educational Institutions"
"I believe I have already hinted at the quarter in which the cry for the greatest possible expansion of education is most loudly raised. This expansion belongs to the most beloved of the dogmas of modern political economy. As much knowledge and education as possible; therefore the greatest possible supply and demand—hence as much happiness as possible:—that is the formula. In this case utility is made the object and goal of education—utility in the sense of gain—the greatest possible pecuniary gain. In the quarter now under consideration culture would be defined as that point of vantage which enables one to 'keep in the van of one's age,' from which one can see all the easiest and best roads to wealth, and with which one controls all the means of communication between men and nations. The purpose of education, according to this scheme, would be to rear the most 'current' men possible—'current' being used here in the sense in which it is applied to the coins of the realm. The greater the number of such men, the happier a nation will be; and this precisely is the purpose of our modern educational institutions: to help every one, as far as his nature will allow, to become 'current'; to develop him so that his particular degree of knowledge and science may yield him the greatest possible amount of happiness and pecuniary gain. Every one must be able to form some sort of estimate of himself; he must know how much he may reasonably expect from life. The 'bond between intelligence and property' which this point of view postulates has almost the force of a moral principle. In this quarter all culture is loathed which isolates, which sets goals beyond gold and gain, and which requires time: it is customary to dispose of such eccentric tendencies in education as systems of 'Higher Egotism,' or of "Immoral Culture—Epicureanism.' According to the morality reigning here, the demands are quite different; what is required above all is 'rapid education,' so that a money-earning creature may be produced with all speed; there is even a desire to make this education so thorough that a creature may be reared that will be able to earn a great deal of money. Men are allowed only the precise amount of culture which is compatible with the interests of gain; but that amount, at least, is expected from them. In short: mankind has a necessary right to happiness on earth—that is why culture is necessary—but on that account alone!"
"I must just say something here," said the philosopher. "In the case of the view you have described so clearly, there arises the great and awful danger that at some time or other the great masses may overleap the middle classes and spring headlong into this earthly bliss. That is what is now called 'the social question.' It might seem to these masses that education for the greatest number of men was only a means to the earthly bliss of the few: the 'greatest possible expansion of education' so enfeebles education that it can no longer confer privileges or inspire respect. The most general form of culture is simply barbarism. But I do not wish to interrupt your discussion."
ibid.
"In all cultivated circles people are in the habit of whispering to one another words something after this style: that it is a general fact that, owing to the present frantic exploitation of the scholar in the service of his science, his education becomes every day more accidental and more uncertain. For the study of science has been extended to such interminable lengths that he who, though not exceptionally gifted, yet possesses fair abilities, will need to devote himself exclusively to one branch and ignore all others if he ever wish to achieve anything in his work. Should he then elevate himself above the herd by means of his specialty, he still remains one of them in regard to all else—that is to say, in regard to all the most important things in life. Thus, a specialist in science gets to resemble nothing so much as a factory workman who spends his whole life in turning one particular screw or handle on a certain instrument or machine, at which occupation he acquires the most consummate skill. In Germany, where we know how to drape such painful facts with the glorious garments of fancy, this narrow specialization on the part of our learned men is even admired, and their ever greater deviation from the path of true culture is regarded as a moral phenomenon. 'Fidelity in small things,' 'dogged faithfulness,' become expressions of highest eulogy, and the lack of culture outside the specialty is flaunted abroad as a sign of noble sufficiency.
"For centuries it has been an understood thing that one alluded to scholars alone when one spoke of cultured men; but experience tells us that it would be difficult to find any necessary relation between the two classes today. For at present the exploitation of a man for the purpose of science is accepted everywhere without the slightest scruple. Who still ventures to ask, What may be the value of a science which consumes its minions in this vampire fashion? The division of labor in science is practically struggling towards the same goal which religions in certain parts of the world are consciously striving after—that is to say, towards the decrease and even the destruction of learning. That, however, which, in the case of certain religions, is a perfectly justifiable aim, both in regard to their origin and their history, can only amount to self-immolation when transferred to the realm of science. In all matters of a general and serious nature, and above all, in regard to the highest philosophical problems, we have now already reached a point at which the scientific man, as such, is no longer allowed to speak. On the other hand, that adhesive and tenacious stratum which has now filled up the interstices between the sciences—Journalism—believes it has a mission to fulfill here, and this it does, according to its own particular lights—that is to say, as its name implies, after the fashion of a day-laborer.
I've been painfully aware of the manifold deficiencies in a purely "Science-Based Approach to Education" for a long time, FJ.
Without increased awareness of sensitivity to and appreciation of Aesthetics, Spirituality, Metaphysics, and a warm, loving, intimate contact with Mother Earth, a healthy respect for the products needed for day-to-day living that came from the soil and an affectionate regard for those who produce and process them, we lose contact with what-it-means-to-be fully HUMAN. A truly hideous phenomenon that seems to have overtaken us in the past fifty years.
Try this on for size, and see how it feels:
"There is no Life, Truth, Intelligence or Substance in MATTER. All is infinite MIND and it's nfinite mafesatiins, for GOD is All-in-All. Spirit is immortal Truth. Matter is mortal Error. Sport is God, and Man is His imge and ieness, therefore MAN is not MATERIALl, he is SPIRITUAL."
ALSO:
Our Father-Mother-Creator GOD may be defined as the personification, amalgamation, and perfect expression of LOVE, TRUTH, BEAUTY, PRINCIPLE, MIND (Perception, Intelligence and Creativity), SOUL (Character, Individuality, Personality), SPIRIT (Animating, Motivating Force, and LIFE, itself.
Those two radical statements came from the great American mystic Mary Baker Eddy, the discoverer and founder of Christian Science –– a movement religious fundamentalists, cynics, and materialists have been wildly eager to dengrate and dismiss since it arrived on the scene –– attitudes which, of course greatly ATTRACTED me to Christian Science.
I never became a Christian Scientist, for many reasons I can't get into here, but I studied it seriously for about ten years, attended CS church services through high school and college, and left the movement feeling that Mrs. EDDY was really ON to Somethng Big, and that many of her writings have great merit, and are filled with Practical Wisdom and Sound Advice on how best to interpret the Scriptures and to live one's Life.Her insight's into what the Bible really means have been a great help to me for sixty-five years.
BUT, ––s with all the temporal organizations that set themselves up to Spread the Gospel ––, the Human Element –– that diabolical lust to gain Power and Control over Others –– marred the Christian. Science Church as it has all the others,and so the Forces of Darkness, –– who live only to denigrate, debunk, deride, discredit, dismiss and destroy GOOD –– always have plenty of ammuntion to throw at "those who earnestly seek to do good."
Human foibles, however, CANNOT destroy TRUTH, which is GOD.
If I didn't believe that, I would never have survived and dine as well as I have.
One thing's for sure: WE DON'T LIVE BY BREAD ALONE.
... no we don't. :)
Without science, who will build the walls to cover with grafitti?
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