ON EDUCATION
It appears to me as though the principal cause of violent behavior in
the world is
that people are taught what to learn,
rather than how to learn. People tend to teach
others only that which is of benefit to
themselves. Enlightened teachers teach
enlightenment so they will not be alone in this
world and will have others to
communicate with at their level. Religious
teachers teach religious experience so they
will not be alone in this world and will
have others to communicate with at their level.
Music teachers, history teachers,
pedantologists, and the rest have the same goals, as
do teachers of learning abilities. The
difference is between molding a mind and teaching
a mind to more capably mold itself. And
the danger is that some fields of study condone
violence in order to put their point across.
When the molding of minds is considered a
rational pursuit, the subject matter is simply
a matter of opinion. Basic education, I
firmly believe, should be routed away from the
teaching of subject matter, and directed
toward the enhancement of perceptual
skills.
Some of the principal areas of teaching this could include:
1) Pattern recognition and memory skills: Pattern recognition skills
enable
us to
perceive relationships and produce critical thinking. Memory skills
commonly
enhance pattern recognition skills.
2) Symbology and logic: Symbology is not only a study of the various
means of
expression,
it also includes the skill of rendering thought into symbols.
Logic enhances communication of any
symbolic system.
3) Creative skills and idea generation: Creativity and idea generation
can be
enhanced
with knowledge, focus, emotion, and other means.
4) Concept integration: Concept integration involves the ability of the
mind
to
incorporate new concepts. Modern pyramidal conceptual building requires
a solid base
on which to build. Our three base means of interaction with
the
Universe - sensation, manipulation, and imagination should be laid out
early.
Also, avoidance of concept conflicts could be attained by stressing
the common
concept behind the conflicting concepts.
Learning expands the horizons only of those not taught a closed mind.
Bill Beauvais
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