Character Development

Character Development at Harvard

The primary purpose of education is to provide an environment in which students can develop the skills and acquire the knowledge they need to fulfill in our changing society. We strive to provide opportunities for individuals to make decisions and encourage them to satisfy their academic needs responsibly and effectively." - Everett High School philosophy

Vague mission statements seem to be the staple of most institutional philosophies. However, the above philosophy of my high school makes it clear that its purpose was to equip students with "skill" and "knowledge" to function in society and in further academic pursuits. On the other hand, Harvard University states that it is the university's responsibility to preach community and social values to students - that it is a vital component of an undergraduate education. Harvard supports moral education for a life of "usefulness and reputation," and the university's mission statement relates the importance of moral education in the full higher-educational experience. College graduates should adopt a higher tone and spread the value of our higher education and of our social class. The Harvard statement makes reference to "reputation," it is clear that universities uphold the idea of moral education and character development in order to bolster their public image.

I absolutely agree with the necessity of colleges and universities to promote community activism and to encourage graduates to act out a life that reflects well on their universities, although I do not believe that it is solely the responsibility of the university to instill such values in its graduates. All organized social groups should encourage community ...

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...r voices heard in elections and local politics.

A society that places trust in its college graduates to be useful and to reflect a good reputation of both society and the graduate‚s institution of higher learning is valuable only if the university makes an attempt in good faith to encourage values of community involvement. Only with active attempts to engage political, social, and moral discussion can graduates actually go out into the world with the experience and skills to impact society. It is not enough for society to expect college graduates to be more than academic giants, but society itself (in the form of other institutions) must encourage citizens to lead useful lives. They must advocate a life that enhances the repute of the individual and the institution. The most feasible institution for such a statement to be made in is the University.