what do u think?

Question

the intellectual benefits of attending a university or college are vastly overrated : most people could learn more by studying and reading on their own for 4 years than by pursuing a universuty or college degree

what are your views on the statement above?

Answer 1

Let's look at it this way: if an average person just decided to read for 4 years, what would he or she learn? How would they know which books are important and highly regarded, and which were just crap? Would they just focus on things they found to be "fun," or would they read things that were challenging, or perhaps outside of their immediate interests? I think that many people, if left on their own, would take the fun/easy/safe route.

University study involves much more than just "reading for four years." University study is study directed by scholars with expertise in many different fields, and this study takes place within a community of other students as well. A student just reading on his or her own would not likely expose himself/herself to the differing methodologies used in various disciplines, and would not have many resources to challenge the books (and other students) in discussions, nor would the student have access to experts in a vast array of disciplines for consultation.

University study is also about educating citizens, and exposing students to a wide variety of ways of looking at the world. A student just reading on his/her own could possibly choose only to study things that confirm his/her own point of view. This is not education -- this is self-indulgence.

Moreover, education is not about the mere amassing of data. Education is about the pursuit of many forms of knowledge within a community of others also seeking to be educated.

Education -- from the Latin prefix e (or ex, which means "out" or "away from") and the Latin verb ducere (which means "to lead"). Education is thus the process of LEADING a person OUT of the mere self, and INTO a wider world.

Answer 2

I don't feel like this is true. The benefit of attending a university isn't overrated. How many people would truly do everything that is needed to be done one their own to equal the work done at a university? Most people in this society are lazy. We can probably learn as much but our work would not be creditable because no one is there to see who worked hard and who cut corners. I don't know about you, but I don't want to deal with a professional who cuts corners.

Answer 3

Probably so but a degree is the better way to go. I'm not saying that people can't have good job without one but if you want a career a degree is the better way to go. I just read an article in an employment guide that said that many jobs are now looking at BA's as the bases in hiring future employee's instead of high school diplomas.

Good question.

Answer 4

You are probably right, but a degree is worth a lot more than just being knowledgeable. If you want a career, I have to insist that a degree is the way to go! I don't see to many ads in the classifieds looking for know-it-alls. Great Question!!!

Answer 5

I think it is possible to go to a university and learn nothing. I had one friend say that college is an overglorified rite of passage that means no more or no less than getting a "ritual scarification." Who you are is who you are. If you are someone that is ignorant, education is not going to make you suddenly non ignorant. You get out of any experience what you put in.

Answer 6

I agree, depending on how motivated the person himself/herself is, when it comes to learning.
However, it's still the practical thing to do to get a college degree. You need to earn a living, and chances are, you're not going to get hired very easily without a degree.