It is almost universally acknowledged that "education is good." More education, says society, will lead to a happier, more prosperous world. Educate everyone, says society.
I agree, of course.
And yet, paradoxically, we are so attached to the notion that education --- college, in my case, grad school or high school for others --- is a means to distinguish oneself from one's peers. A degree, we argue, makes us stand out in both the workplace and in society. The more competitive the institution, the more valuable the degree.
Less enthusiastically, I agree with this as well: reality forces me to concede the point. Why else would college admissions be so competitive? Why else would classes be graded on curves? Why else would we even have grades in the first place? As disturbed as I am by it, society cares very much about my academic performance, especially in relation to others.
And therein lies the rub. Reader, are these not contradictory notions? If the purpose of an education for an individual is to separate him or her from the general populace, then what follows is the absurd notion that universal education is self-defeating: that the more people we educate, the less an education is worth to the individual.
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I agree, of course.
And yet, paradoxically, we are so attached to the notion that education --- college, in my case, grad school or high school for others --- is a means to distinguish oneself from one's peers. A degree, we argue, makes us stand out in both the workplace and in society. The more competitive the institution, the more valuable the degree.
Less enthusiastically, I agree with this as well: reality forces me to concede the point. Why else would college admissions be so competitive? Why else would classes be graded on curves? Why else would we even have grades in the first place? As disturbed as I am by it, society cares very much about my academic performance, especially in relation to others.
And therein lies the rub. Reader, are these not contradictory notions? If the purpose of an education for an individual is to separate him or her from the general populace, then what follows is the absurd notion that universal education is self-defeating: that the more people we educate, the less an education is worth to the individual.
More at Ladders Go Both Ways
