Often, we approach the idea of college, or school in general, as something that we simply have to do; just another part of life. C.S Lewis reminds us that true education done right actually liberates us, frees us to learn what we want. This, for me, is particularly comforting because it reminds me that I am not at Calvin College in a DCM interim class because I have to be here. It may seem obvious now, but I had forgotten that it is my choice to be here. And not only to be present, but to be learning- truly learning.
I think that while Lewis focuses on the difference between the actual differences in the mode of education, the importance for students lies in the difference between simply being present or being invested in your own education. Lewis says on page 82 that “education is essentially for freemen, and vocational training is for slaves.” I would argue that even education can be for slaves. When we limit ourselves to simply doing what we’re told throughout our education, we simply become slaves, working for grades. It is only when we truly invest ourselves in our education, when we immerse ourselves in and dedicate ourselves to what we learn; it is then that education can be for freemen.
As we talked about in class, this immersion in our education involves self-forgetfulness. This seems contrary to the message of owning your own learning and deciding what to pursue, but I think it more refers to putting aside the things that you are concerned about- which major will give you the most money, which will help you find a spouse, or which will make you famous. This connects with the “right question” that we, as freshmen, should be “What do I most want to know?” What can make me a better person, what will allow me to contribute to God’s kingdom on earth, etc. It also involves humility in admitting that we don’t know all the right answers, and re-evaluating our motives, because we should work towards a different goal, besides simply getting A’s.
Lewis says, “The student is, or ought to be, a young man who is already beginning to follow learning for its own sake, and who attaches himself to an older student, not precisely to be taught, but to pick up what he can.” This was the most convicting quote from the article for me. It definitely puts learning into perspective, reminding us how the process of learning is valuable in itself, not merely the diploma that comes from it.
I thought that your statement of us becoming slaves of our work was very true and I can attest to it. We need to work on a proper balance so we don't let our work and studies command us. I would argue that rich men could still do vocational training i.e. culinary arts schools, etc. The quote you put at the end of your blog was also one of my favorites from the essay and I do agree with you that it does but learning and education into perspective.
ReplyDelete