I was writing in the context of the comment about people with degrees still not being able to get jobs. From the perspective of employers wanting to know who is the best educated (or associated concepts like who is the most able to study at a high level) it used to be that a degree indicated you were in the top 10% or so, whereas now it indicates you're probably more or less average or better. So in that regard it is devalued as a tool for setting the holder apart from the masses.
As you say there is merit in learning for the sake of learning although, personally speaking, if I'm learning because I want to know more about a topic I don't really care if I get a piece of paper at the end of the process that says I know about whatever the topic was.
I hold that the EDUCATION has value and worth.....
I agree simply having a piece of paper
PER SE does not. And I agree that the PIECE OF PAPER does not (sadly) necessarily mean education happened (at least to any significant degree); we probably all know folks with a college degree that are pretty ignorant; at some colleges, it's amazingly easy to coast through the whole process and not necessarily gain much; a degree CAN mean little more than this guy jumped through all the required hoops. Few American colleges require extensive exams to graduate with a Bachelors (all do for graduate degrees)
However, theoretically anyway, that piece of paper IS meant to communicate that in the view of the school, this student has achieved the level of education suggested by that degree. The "standard" is admittedly largely subjective and a matter for each college (and it DOES vary quite a bit). Some students however don't really have that education. Now, for the Ph.D., it IS largely an assurance. To get the degree, one must DOCUMENT their ability to do sound research and they must pass extensive written and oral examinations. At least if from an accredited school, that piece of paper DOES insure something. It doesn't mean they are smart (they may be quite average in IQ) or educated in OTHER areas (doctorates are profoundly narrow) but it DOES mean they know this subject, they can do good research (even if they don't) and generally have effective communicative skills. IMO, it also implies they can stick to something with dedication and commitment and can work hard at something; it even can imply this person can work effectively with others in a "team" approach since nearly all academic research is done via teams.
I got my first job not primarily because my Ph.D. is in physics and the "factoids" I therefore had (although they wanted such in the company) but rather because they wanted someone with strong research skills and a very collaborative approach; one with skills at evaluating scientific issues and with good communication skills. The skills I had to gain to get the degree is what they valued far more than the facts I had at hand. Much of that can be of value outside the scientific community, too. Education tends to have worth. Although I fully agree, not always in terms of income.
Friend, I don't think we are really saying anything different, lol. Perhaps I'm just attempting to underline a value that I think is sadly in decline in the USA, and perhaps I'm sensitive to an ever-increasing view that something has worth only in terms of materialism.
While I'm hijacking the thread, I might as well add (because it's important!) that education doesn't only happen in schools! My father served in the military during the Vietnam war and while he pretty much disliked those years, he OFTEN speaks of the very important, life-changing, things he learned during those 4 years in that milieu. I think too of the years I spent as a youth in sports and in theatre.... I learned there, too.
Blessings on your Holy Week...
- Josiah
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