Why Not Both? Science and Technology in a Classical Education

"This question, whether we should be taught the classics or the sc iences, seems to me, I confess, very like a dispute whether painters should cultivate drawing or colouring, or to use a more homely illustration, wehther a tailor should make coats or trousers. I can only reply by the question, why not both? Can anything deserve the name of a good education which does not include literature and sciene too? If there were no more to be said than that scientific education teach us to think, and literary education to express our thoughts, do we not require both?" - John Stuart Mill

In ancient times, the ideal education was lifelong and a mixture of philosophy, science, mathematics, rhetoric, and the arts. The wise men of antiquity sought to understand truth, human nature, and the natural world. In the modern times, though, classical education came under fire from modernizers who demanded more contemporary learning and application, with an expanded role for learning science, technology, and modern languages.

Today, the rifts have never been greater between faculties in the humanities and science and technology. With more information, has come more specialization, but that's why a truly broad grounding in science, technology, and classical humanities has never been more important. Today's scientists often have scant training in philosophy, history, or formal logic. As a result, they may not see their work or discoveries within a framework of human history; they may extrapolate too far from their scientific data, and not be able to fully consider the assumptions of their theories or recognize how some conclusions may be faulty. The fate of science and tech-weak classicists is even worse. They often can't begin to carry on a conversation in scientific or technical realms, let alone help consider conflicts and controversies, and help decide policy.

We recognize that a comprehensive grounding in the classics of classical education, and state-of-the-art science and technology, may beyond the grasp of all students, but for those who are able and interested, it is a worthy goal. A classical humanities education provides irreplaceable lessons in human thinking, leadership, and historical context that no other experience can provide. But a state-of-the-art science / tech education can also be indispensable in its provision of a comprehensive knowledge base and framework for understanding the specifics of our world as well as the possibilities for future innovation.

There are tremendous forces of change afoot with the globalization of information and knowledge workers through the Internet. Specialists in narrow fields will always be available, but broadly and rigorously-educated individuals, not.

For more reading about our ideas about education in the 21st Century, check out our Powerpoint (pdf file) here: Millennial Minds, and look at our Eide Neurolearning Blog posts on Trans-disciplinary learning and Education for a Flat World.

John Stuart Mill's Inaugural Address Delivered to the University of St. Andrews

Technorati tags: classical education, science, Flat World, education, 21st Century, gifted