Education

[Darth Rotor]

Mr. Awlaki was born in New Mexico in 1971, where his father, Nasser al-Awlaki, was studying agricultural economics. After studying Islam in Yemen, Anwar, too, pursued an American education, earning a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Colorado State University and a master’s in education at San Diego State.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34034587/ns/world_news-the_new_york_times/page/2/

Well educated. Education is good.

See also Morgan Reynolds. PhD. Texas A & M professor of Economics. Educated. Moonbat theories/CT about what hit the WTC on 9-11.

Education: what are its limits?

DR

[drkitten]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34034587/ns/world_news-the_new_york_times/page/2/

Well educated. Education is good.

See also Morgan Reynolds. PhD. Texas A & M professor of Economics. Educated. Moonbat theories/CT about what hit the WTC on 9-11.

Education: what are its limits?

DR

Well, education can't cure stupid.

It typically can't inculcate morals.

And it's also inherently content-limited; a Ph.D. in mathematics does not qualify you to perform surgery or even to translate The Wizard of Oz into Latin.

[Prometheus]

What we really need is some good ol' fashioned re-education.

[plumjam]

What we really need is some good ol' fashioned re-education.

don't we, Clarice

[Darth Rotor]

Well, education can't cure stupid.
Can it only mitigate stupid?
And it's also inherently content-limited; a Ph.D. in mathematics does not qualify you to perform surgery or even to translate The Wizard of Oz into Latin.
Ok.
It typically can't inculcate morals.
Agreed. That is what indoctrination is for.

DR

[themusicteacher]

Can it only mitigate stupid?

Ok.

Agreed. That is what indoctrination is for.

DR

And that is what the place called "school" is for.

[Darth Rotor]

And that is what the place called "school" is for.
Really?

Indoctrination is the province of schools, is it? ;)

DR



(Wonder how soon the Libertarians will show up ... )

[Prometheus]

Really?

Indoctrination is the province of schools, is it? ;)

DR



(Wonder how soon the Libertarians will show up ... )

Awww! Now you've gone and reminded me of how much I miss Jerome da Gnome.... :cry:

[CatOfGrey]

Education does have its limits. Human beings with their life experiences are capable of ignoring all sorts of rational knowledge in favor of their 'personal experience' bias. My most recent head-scratcher was a science teacher questioning vaccinations because of a relative's bad reaction to a measles vaccine.

Awlaki is an Islam student. And from my knowledge of Islam, despite a diversity of sects and beliefs, it isn't the most flexible of thought systems. So all his education is fine and wonderful, but Islam has quite possibly trained him to disregard anything that contradicts his teacher's understanding of the Koran and nature of Allah. So it doesn't matter that religious freedom has resulted in higher living standards for 100% of the societies that have adopted such a freedom, it's instead a moral imperative to follow the rule of the Koran.

[drkitten]

Can it only mitigate stupid?

A lot of times it can't even do that.

Many times, the best it can do is quarantine stupid -- by withholding its blessings (such as a degree) it can prevent stupid from being in a position to hurt people (such as hospital staff).

Of course, then stupid just goes and opens a homeopathy practice. But at least that's stupid hurting stupid.

[Darth Rotor]

A lot of times it can't even do that.

Many times, the best it can do is quarantine stupid -- by withholding its blessings (such as a degree) it can prevent stupid from being in a position to hurt people (such as hospital staff).

Of course, then stupid just goes and opens a homeopathy practice. But at least that's stupid hurting stupid.

In which case education hasn't occurred, has it? :confused:

[drkitten]

In which case education hasn't occurred, has it? :confused:

Depends. If I work out for half an hour, realize I'm still fat, and give it up for a bad job, has exercise "happened"?

How about if I'm doing the wrong sort of "exercise" for what I need?

[KingMerv00]

In which case education hasn't occurred, has it? :confused:

You are defining "education" as the "eradication of irrationality" and I think that is a mistake. Most people define "education" as "going to school". Going to school doesn't always make people more rational or any better at picking truth over fiction.

[drkitten]

You are defining "education" as the "eradication of irrationality" and I think that is a mistake. Most people define "education" as "going to school".

Actually, I think most people are wrong in this instance.

Education isn't going to school any more than exercise is going to the gym. And in either case, if all you do once you get there is sit on your arse, nothing worthwhile is going to happen.

[Darth Rotor]

You are defining "education" as the "eradication of irrationality" and I think that is a mistake.
No, I am not doing that. But you just did. :)
Most people define "education" as "going to school". Going to school doesn't always make people more rational or any better at picking truth over fiction.
I don't use that definition either. I don't think either you or I find that "definition" of any use, or validity.

I had to learn a useful distinction between education and training some years ago, which may either inform or bias my views on education's profound value.

DR

[Flo]

In French, "education" is what your parents teach you/train you for (manners, morals, beliefs, behavior in society, ...), and is different from "instruction", which is what you get by going to school. Intelligence is what allows you to put the former two to good use.

Unfortunately, many people will at best get two out of three ...

[Alt+F4]

These days, in the U.S. at least, well educated means high test scores. No actual knowledge required, only test-taking skills.

[rjh01]

To me
Education (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/education) - No immediate use, but may be needed later.
Training (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Training) - At the end of the training course you will use the skills learned.
Instructions (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Instructions) - How to do a specific task.

The dictionary meanings are a bit vague.