Do you disagree with the basic tenet of the American school system?

Question

I am an 11th grader in high school, and it seems like the one thing which the school emphasizes above all others is getting a good job to make money. This seems fairly unethical to me, as it puts a premium on materialism, and almost not emphasis on intellectual stimulation. You are told to strive for good grades not to learn the material, but to get into a good college, to make money. I would like to hope that an academic institution could transcend this petty materialism and focus more on intellectual stimlulation, such as Philosophy, which has such a greater potential than making money will ever.

Phoenix Quill, you have indeed been indoctrinated by the very institutions against which I am speaking.

Phoenix Quill, pursuit of intellectual stimulation is the epitome of society, I would assume you are near the bottom of it.

Answer 1

I'm with you 1,000%. You have to be a person before you can be an accountant, lawyer, or construction worker.

If I ruled the world, grade school would be a place where students learn to think, to gain wisdom, and above all to them find their own inner resources. Such a curriculum would include philosophy, comparative mythology, comparative religion, literature, logic, rhetoric, math, history, foreign languages. And, of course, everyone would have to learn to write decently.

Then, in the junior year, there would be a semester-long course in which students would explore career options.

That kind of intensely academic course isn't for everyone, and there would be educational options for all.

But, alas, I don't rule the world.

Answer 2

The tax payer got tired of paying for public schools which produced students who couldn't read, write and do basic math. If you intend to be intellectually stimulated you will have to go to a higher institution. High schools are only meant to educate to the lowest common denominator. Of course there are still a lot of students who can't meet the basic standards. In my state home schooling and private education are gradually replacing the government schools.

By the way do not trash materialism unless you've ever gone a couple days without a meal or wondered how you were going to pay the rent. I have.

Answer 3

Well congratulations on figuring out that tenet of public School is training you to get a good job and make money.

Or at least that's supposed to be the tenet, we still need to kick the crap out of the teachers that told you this is unethical.

I'm all for intellectual stimulation. It's fun figuring out Halo 3, or sitting in the coffee shop debating the origin of the universe or the existence of God. But not for one second do I want to PAY for you to do that. If you want intellectual stimulation, get a library card or go online.

Adults PAY for education because they need to teach children HOW to be adults. You don't think materialism is important because as a CHILD your material needs are being provided by an ADULT.

My beef with the school system is that you are 1 year away from legal adulthood, where you can be required to pay your own bills, and you still think money isn't that important. Money isn't everything, but it's damn close. Walks on the beach may be free, but you need a car and gas to get there. Everything in your adult life will revolve around having money.

Now the good news is, there are many colleges and private schools willing to provide you oodles of intellectual stimulation.

The bad news is they all want money to do it. And that my friend should tell you something.

Good luck in the material world.

Answer 4

If you want to be intellectually free, you do have to renounce your schooling. One of the biggest problems with schooling is that it generally operates on the premise that people can be changed, and so it is forever trying to turn people who just want to fit in into critical thinkers, and trying to break those of a more intellectual bent so as to make them more practical. Truly a Procrustean bed.

You can try to find a more congenial school. Or you can pursue your interests as an autodidact.