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Ralph Waldo Emerson views and opinions
Analyze education by emerson
Explanation and rhetorical analysis of education by emerson
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"Every young man is born with some determination in his nature, and is a potential genius." At first glance this quote produces a mix of emotions from the reader. Upon further investigation and examining the word choice one may find Emerson's statement to be completely valid. Ralph Waldo Emerson's essay titled "Education," uses the open words "some" and "potential," making the statement more realistic and ultimately true. When first reading this quote many thoughts go into the readers mind. How can one man make the assumption everyone is a genius? Everyone has seen the lackadaisical students that only try to get by in life and do the least amount of work possible, so how can Emerson, a philosopher, have the courage to risk his knowledgeable expertise to say everyone has determination, and the ability to become a genius? It is simple, he doesn't, although one might think he is due to inattentive reading. Emerson is not saying everyone is a genius and their all the same, he's simply implying all students share an opportunity at being the best they could possible be. If you continu...
In John Holts essay, “Freedom for Children'; he discusses how children should have their own right to decide how much, when, and what to learn. Holt states that by taking children’s right to learn, we are taking a fundamental right away from them. He also states that, to adults, the right to decide what does and does not interest us is taken for granted and that we are unknowingly taking this right away from children. Holt also states that by sending children to school six hours a day, 180 days a year, for about 10 years we are limiting them. Holt concludes that children are no longer learning, but rather are taught what adults think they should know. I personally disagree with Holts on this matter. If children had the right to control their education, what would stop them from even going or learning things that could be damaging to society? I feel the have plenty of rights as it is.
One of the primary issues that Emerson tried to convey was that one must follow what they believe is true for themselves and not listen to what other people think. He states, “It is easy in the world to live after the world’s opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after our own; but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps perfect sweetness the independence of solitude(Emerson 151).” One of the definitions of the word “world” is “human society.” The word “opinion” means “a view, judgment, or appraisal formed in the mind about a particular matter.” By putting these words together, Emerson is implying that the “world’s opinion” is the general point of view accepted by most of society. Emerson also uses the word, “solitude” which means, “the quality or state of being alone or remote from society.” By also using the word “solitude” in this sentence, he shows a contrast between the majority (society), and the individual. What Emerson suggests is that if one can live in a world full of people who think a certain way because they were taught to believe that way, but still hold your own ground and follow what you believe, you are a great person.
Most controversies over education are centered around the question of how strictly standards should be upheld. The concern over whether or not flunking students is appropriate or even in the best interest of the student is a widely discussed topic. The argument often begins with students just starting school where the question of standardized testing for kindergartners arises. The majority of people are actually against such testing because they feel that a child who is labeled as a failure at such an early age may be permanently damaged (Bowen 86). The worry over the failure issue is further traced to educators who feel children just entering school are not fully prepared. Teachers are faced with kindergarten students who do not know their addresses, colors, and sometimes even first and last names (An ‘F’ 59).
Lincoln also stated that “all men are created equal” even though you are a distinctive race. “In his speech, Lincoln called the movement toward freedom for all the “unfinished work” (Lincoln). He called on his country-men to “be dedicated” in the fight for freedom. By the end of the Civil War, America was committed to the idea that “all men are created equal” (Lincoln).”(Student Model). The text states that Lincoln declared and approved on the Declaration of Independence that “all men are created
“If the colored children are denied the experience in school of associating with white children, who represent ninety percent of our nation society in which these colored children must live, then the colored child’s curriculum is greatly being curtailed” (1).In the fifties and sixties the civil rights movement along with help of organization like the NAACP fought racial segregation, because blacks were not equal to their white brothers and sisters. African-Americans schools were usually undermined to white schools throughout America history. African-Americans were considered privileged if they received an education or could comprehend the reading and written language of society. Segregation of children in schools has a detrimental effect upon the colored child, who gains a sense of inferiority which later affects the colored child ability to sustain knowledge (2). In 1954, the United States Supreme Court in the Brown vs. the Board of Education ruled that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional which violated the fourteenth Amendment, which granted equal protection to all citizens regardless of race. This outcome had overturned the old standard which was set in 1896 in the Plessey vs. Ferguson, which said separate but equal facilities were constitutional. The new ruling made it possible for a little third-grader named Linda Brown could attend a predominately white elementary that was just a mile away from her house, instead of walking about six miles to the rundown black elementary school. In 1955 following the United States Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education, granted equal access and opportunity for education of minorities to be carried out ASAP. But it was not until the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that efforts final took effect to desegregate schools in the south. This act made it possible for black children in twenty-one other states could attend white public schools, if their school was not equal to there counterparts. In the years that followed the public school systems of many states where reluctantly to bus black students off to far distances, because they were trying to maintain racial proportion (O’Connor 374). The color-lines of America will never change according to W.E.D Dubois: we as Americans need not to forget our past, because we have now installed a new school plan, called choice schools throughout t...
...s truly the formula for greatness, and Mr. Descartes knew that anyone who is gifted with intelligence has a responsibility to reach for this greatness and use their mind well. Those who do this have the key to unlocking all the untapped potential of their mind, like unlocking a trunk full of treasure.
The education system has been a controversial issue among educators. Requirements of school do not let student choose what they want to study for their future. It’s a big issue to force student study specific curriculums, which don’t help them improve, and what they like to create something. Educators choose a general system for education to all students which based on general knowledge. Intelligent or genius students have to be in that system of education, which doesn’t let them improve their creativity. Educators attempt to change that system to make it better, but their changing was not that great to be an example for the world. Also, did that change qualify education system to compete other systems or not? In some examples and reasons have been made me agree with some of points from Gatto’s and Edmunson’s and disagree them.
Within a world abundantly enriched with a vast collection of books and writers, it is not eccentric for different writers to touch upon the same or similar subjects that reflect their personal beliefs. Education, an advocated and major supplement for the success of our society’s youths, can be interpreted in immeasurable ways. An excerpt taken from “Education”, written by Ralph Waldo Emerson, acknowledges Nature to be the essential foundation of education in contrast with the ineffective structure of learning that schools have adopted to suit the needs of the externally motivated scholar and the unconcerned, time-effective teacher. Similarly, In “Superman and Me”, Sherman Alexie proudly supports and addresses the engagement of education to ultimately save the lives of today’s youth, specifically children of Native American descent. Both writers drilled into the core of education, enforcing similar substances, but still remaining true to their own original ideas. “Superman and Me” and the excerpt from “Education” clearly defines education in association with nature and intrinsic motivation, but each author strays from the other’s essay in terms of audience, syntax, and voice.
First, re: Keats: his letter addresses something that I've been wondering about "genius." I'm reminded of this popular quotation from Ulysses: "A man of genius makes no mistakes. His errors are volitional and are the portals of discovery." If Genius (I love that it's capitalized) is some sort of spectral or seraphic presence independent of mind, then it seems to visit or attach itself to only a few people every generation. Why is it so selective? This is a superstitious explanation for "genius," of course, and we know statistically that genius IQs really are rare. But I've been seeing this wonderful psychyoga instructor who is also a clairvoyant, and she insists that "everyone has genius inside them." This could be New Age, kumbaya claptrap, but I think she's right; therefore, Joyce (perhaps unwittingly) is talking about everyone (my professor used to say, "Love your mistakes!" at the end of every class). But how do people access genius so quickly (precocity/child prodigies) and so easily (the daily, random assemblage of great poems)?
With living costs as high as they are in this day and age, it is completely unreasonable to expect the average individual to squander already limited resources. Receiving a bachelor’s degree today requires an assortment of classes that often are not directly related to one’s career objectives. For some, they find this to be an enjoyable adventure, broadening their knowledge and learning about new aspects of life, but for others this is just burdensome. However it is looked upon, the college curriculum still requires a diverse selection of courses to develop well rounded, responsible individuals, but in turn creates added pressure upon students.
The reasons we educate our children have changed over time. However, some of the core values remain the same. One of the most important purposes of schooling is the transmission of a culture from one generation to the next. It is important to pass on our culture, values, and beliefs to our children so we continue to have a cohesive population. Schooling offers opportunity to our children by teaching them valuable skills that allow them to be self-sufficient and lead successful lives. Schooling also serves to decrease the social ills those without an education suffer from. A final purpose of education is to create people who are active in civic life.
Education Education in Nervous Conditions. Education is often regarded as beneficial for people and necessary for advancement where people willingly accept to get educated. However in the case of Africa, education was forced on the population, especially western education. Although the Africans had an established medium of education, western education came to replace it and this education under the façade of benefiting the society was there to exploit the people. Western education destroyed the people’s culture exploiting their intellect and their labor.
In literature too, the notion of a genius is explored to depict the struggle of mankind to attain the ideal. In other words, while it is true that geniuses may come and go, the idea of genius is central to the human experience that is not to leave it sometime soon. Therefore, genius is characterized by its innate capability to escape the ultimate
Education has come a long way in the history of man, but has it come far enough? Education now days is getting more generalized and robotic; it is just memorizing specific facts for test questions. Although many believe students are getting a true and valuable education, many students would argue that America’s education system is profoundly lacking.
Genius without education is like silver in the mine. Based on Benjamin Franklin, the quote means if you are a natural born genius but you don’t get propereducation to showcase your talents, then it is wasted. Silver in the mine is no good until you take it out of the mine. Similar to this case, genius people without using their education will lead to the variety of negative impacts. Thus, there are no doubt that it can lead to psychological problems and disorders, it can lead people doingsomething horrible, and itcan lead genius people to go against human right are the negative impacts of being genius. We need to always take precautions when being genius because there are many negative impacts of being genius.