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The concept of education
Education is an idea that is often misinterpreted by society concerning school and knowledge. Most people believe that a person must go through formal training in school and graduate to be considered educated. However, I think that an individual going to school and graduating does not necessarily mean that the person is educated. Instead, education is the desire, ability, and willingness of a person to gain knowledge without reward or supervision steadily. Therefore, a person does not have to go to a formal school to acquire a degree to be considered educated. Besides, school is more than memorizing ideas, learning skills, and doing examinations to earn high grades. Its main aim is to instill critical skills to children and help them in life. The poem by Warsan Shire “Home” shows that knowledge can be earned away from school through experience. The poem portrays Shire as an educated person with a vast understanding of what makes people migrate from their homes. For instance, she notes that “no one leaves home unless home is the mouth of a shark” (Shire). Her statement shows that the experience people have can serve as a source of knowledge an understanding of the world. In essence, the knowledge gained in school is not education but a medium for people to acquire education.
Educated people in society are always humble and believe that they do not know everything creating space to learn from others. I think that educated people always treat others with compassion, understanding, and kindness. Therefore, they do not see themselves as superior to other people but as equals. Some in society misunderstand an educated person as a person who knows a lot and can state facts without researching. I, however, disagree with the notion because while such individuals are knowledgeable, they cannot be seen as educated. Being educated is not determined by how much a person learned in school or books, but how they use their knowledge to advance their learning. Plato’s Allegory of the cave gives an excellent example of what happens when people refuse to learn from other people. The prisoners would have been freed, but because they believed the knowledge they had was enough, they threatened to kill their mate. One of the prisoners who escaped is an example of an educated person. Plato notes that “he realized that his former life and the guessing game they played was useless” (Juge). The statement shows that the prisoner was not satisfied with the little he knew but was open to learning new things. Thus, educated people apply their understanding of facts to gain more knowledge in the world.
They are never satisfied with what they know but are instead open to learning from other people. Also, when people have a wealth of ideas but lack the knowledge to turn them into something tangible, their creativity is useless. A person must be able to use both knowledge and creativity to be considered educated. I believe that knowledgeable people always view society as a learning place. Gaining a degree or certificate from school does not mark the end of leaning for an educated person. In this instance, educated people are not limited to or satisfied with what they have been taught. They always have room to explore and gain a better understanding of how the world functions. Therefore, they recognize that learning has no end, and they should be ready to learn from other people.
Works cited
Juge, Carole. “The Road to the Sun They Cannot See Plato’s Allegory of the Cave, Oblivion, and Guidance in Cormac McCarthy’s the Road.” Cormac McCarthy Journal 7.1 (2009): 16-30.
Shire, Warsan. “Home. [Poem].” Long Journeys. African Migrants on the Road (1998).