06-18-2011, 07:09 PM
Hi,
Where is this Utopian society? Surely not in the USA where education is based on memorization and regurgitation. Where the proof of knowledge is the ability to fill in an oval, or mark a blank with a T or F. Where the standards of teaching are determined by gaming the state and federal compliance examinations.
A school system that emphasizes the truth of authority, usually combined with a social/religious system that emphasizes the Truth of Authority, is hardly conducive to skepticism and critical thinking.
Then again, free speech in this country is seldom protected unless it echos the majority opinion. Minor dissent is tolerated, unless it irritates congress (flag burning). Major dissent is outlawed and its proponents and supporters become the object of a witch hunt (communism, the House Un-American Activities Committee).
Before we dislocate our shoulder patting ourselves on the back for how great our system is in theory, perhaps we should examine how well it is implemented in practice. Remember, the man who wrote "... all men are created equal ..." was a slaveholder.
--Pete
(06-18-2011, 06:32 PM)kandrathe Wrote: In a free society, the risks of allowing free speech are relieved by teaching people skepticism, and critical thinking skills to enable them to discern for themselves between the silk purse and the sow's ear.
Where is this Utopian society? Surely not in the USA where education is based on memorization and regurgitation. Where the proof of knowledge is the ability to fill in an oval, or mark a blank with a T or F. Where the standards of teaching are determined by gaming the state and federal compliance examinations.
A school system that emphasizes the truth of authority, usually combined with a social/religious system that emphasizes the Truth of Authority, is hardly conducive to skepticism and critical thinking.
Then again, free speech in this country is seldom protected unless it echos the majority opinion. Minor dissent is tolerated, unless it irritates congress (flag burning). Major dissent is outlawed and its proponents and supporters become the object of a witch hunt (communism, the House Un-American Activities Committee).
Before we dislocate our shoulder patting ourselves on the back for how great our system is in theory, perhaps we should examine how well it is implemented in practice. Remember, the man who wrote "... all men are created equal ..." was a slaveholder.
--Pete
How big was the aquarium in Noah's ark?