Learning Doesn't Have a Finish Line
CHARLOTTE MASON VOLUME 6; CHAPTER 9 - THE WAY OF THE REASON
In a world that often presents knowledge as finite and learning as a race with a finish line, it's crucial to challenge this notion and recognize the boundless nature of knowledge. Education doesn't have a finish line, and knowledge is ever-expanding. As parents, we may unintentionally contribute to this perspective by leading our children to believe that we know everything and are infallible. However, in doing so, we deprive them of the essential skill of critical thinking, which is instrumental in shaping their own understanding of the world.
The perception of being infallible might seem convenient for maintaining blind obedience. However, by acknowledging our fallibility and embracing vulnerability, we pave the way for authentic connections and create an environment fostering intellectual growth.
We often think that the weird sisters influenced Macbeth to aspire to become Thane of Cawdor, then King. However, the truth is they just brought out a desire that was already there inside him. The sisters confirmed what Macbeth already wanted. After that, he started justifying all his actions, and only then did he see opportunities for betrayal and murder.
Every action, including criminal ones, has been justified by reason. I often tell my children that if they stand before a temptation long enough, they’ll give themselves enough reason to succumb.
You see, reason comes after choice. If you choose good, you’ll have enough reasons to do it and even more reasons to do evil if you choose evil. Our minds have a clever way of finding justifications and making things seem right. Therefore that which is logically proved is not necessarily right. Our children need the skill and knowledge to accept or reject ideas.
Some Educators fret that summer vacations lead to a summer slump. They erroneously believe that education is about worksheets, book reports etc.
But the function of education is not to give technical skill but develop a person; the more of a person, the better the work of whatever kind;
Charlotte Mason
We forget that beyond everything we consider educational, our children need to train their reasoning power. The ability to follow arguments and detect fallacies is an essential skill I’m still trying to develop in myself.
We hope that as we send our children forth, they’ll not only know Maths, Grammar etc., but they’ll also have developed the power of reasoning and the ability to control their will.
Best Regards,
Olufunmike