Education Without Action example essay topic

"You cannot teach a man anything; you can only help him find it within himself". -Galileo Can a United States president, a Greek philosopher, an influential astronomer, and world-class author disagree on a single, seemingly simple topic? One that is ever present in the everyday life of all throughout the world? How can names like Aristotle, Emerson, Galileo, and Garfield disagree on such a topic as education?

It seems simple enough, but education is nearly impossible to define, as it has clear answers, such as the amount of schooling one has endured, and also complicated responses, including leadership and street smarts. Education is different for everyone, hence the inability to come up with one uniform definition. Some forms of education are tested on the standardized exams that are thrust upon students annually, while others are tested in real-life situations. Scoring high marks on these standardized examinations requires and tests for one type of education, while others are needed in the form of knowledge, toleration, and most importantly, action. Learning and retaining information can only enhance the life of an intellectual, giving the gift of knowledge as well as the responsibility of using that knowledge for the greater good of society.

An educated person should also be tolerant of others' opinions and be able to entertain those beliefs in discussion, even though the two views may differ greatly. While being formally educated is admirable, not being able, or not knowing when, to use that knowledge defeats the entire purpose of that formal education. As Herbert Spencer once noted, "the great aim of education is not knowledge but action" (McKenzie). The action is that of doing something for the greater good of others, whether it be all of humanity or simply one individual. There are many different forms of intelligence, including those that are tested by the standardized exams, which are annually thrust in front of every student in America.

It does not take extreme intelligence to score high on these exams; only the ability to answer certain types of questions and the ability to memorize information learned from a book are needed. However, not all education can be obtained as easily as from a book. It takes intelligence of another sort to be able to work effectively under different circumstances or to lead people towards a common goal. While some people who score well on standardized tests are good overall students and people, for many that is their only form of intelligence. Retaining information and obtaining as much knowledge as possible are, of course, not a bad thing, but is there really a point to being an intellect who does nothing with their knowledge? Don Herold agrees, "there is nobody so irritating as somebody with less intelligence and more sense than we have" (McKenzie).

It is possible, and perhaps probable, that the most intelligent person in the world could have absolutely no common sense and be worthless to society. It is not sufficient to have only one form of education, but rather it is better to diversify one's knowledge, as well as the source of that knowledge, and also to be tolerant of those who have differing opinions. Aristotle once stated that "it is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it" (McKenzie). One of the greatest traits of one who is educated is to be able to successfully debate a subject with a person of the opposite viewpoint.

This can enlighten one who is already educated, either opening their mind to a new and perhaps better idea, or further strengthening their position on a subject. F. Scott Fitzgerald once noted that "the test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function" (McKenzie). Knowing both arguments of an issue can allow one to debate said topic while gaining a higher respect for another's personal opinion or belief. Lisa Alter believes that. ".. the degree of a person's intelligence is directly reflected by the number of conflicting attitudes she can bring to bear on the same topic" (McKenzie). The more different sides to a story that one can entertain, the more education one will have had and the more tolerance one will have learned. Knowing the direction and reasoning from which one's enemies will come allows for peaceful discussion and debate, rather than a volatile and potentially violent eruption with harmful consequences.

While obtaining knowledge and using it as a tool to debate others on controversial topics is all well and good, not using that knowledge to better the lives of others almost nullifies the purpose of education. "The great aim of education", according to Herbert Spencer, "is not knowledge but action" (McKenzie). It is the action to do something for the common good; it could be the common good of one individual, changing their life for the better. This can be done by helping others change something bad to good. Or it can be holding political position, whether local, statewide, or national, and being honest and truthful about helping others. Education is pointless if it is not used properly.

What good is education if it is used to better only one person's life? Even helping just one other soul will make all the education, whether formal or otherwise, serve its purpose. While education cannot, of course, be simplified into one uniform definition, it can be broken down into certain int regal parts; these being knowledge, the basis and general purpose of education, tolerance, an adeptness not given at birth but rather obtained though education, and action, the deeper, more meaningful purpose of education. Education without action is like playing a game without naming a winner. The journey was good but you will still feel a certain emptiness because you know there is still something missing; something you know you can achieve; something you know you can do for the betterment of others. When given the privilege of a good education, one is also given the great responsibility of using that education as a basis for good action in society.

Education necessitates action.

Bibliography

"Exploring the Meaning of Education: Journal #1". CP English 12. McKenzie. Class Handout. September 2003.