why study
Thursday, May 27, 2010
♥ Thursday, May 27, 2010
The presupposition made in setting any essay question is this: the essay question is worthy of reflection. When an essay asks us to discuss the differences between morality, ethics, values and the law we therefore ask: What would make this subject worthy of reflection? It cant be economical benefits- there is hardly any; it could be as a result of a University syllabus, but i think we all can agree that no University worth its salt will cite that as a reason to pose such a question to its students. We need a better reason. I would suggest that this reason is found by reflecting upon the nature of and what it means to be a student.
A student is undeniably defined by the work that preoccupies her- studying. Studying is an accumulation of knowledge and a search for theories. In that search arises an intellectual awe for the genius that preceded our generation and for the magnificence of our past visionaries. Its Freud and Jung for the psychologist; Dworkin and Hart for the lawyer; Beethoven and Mozart for the musician; Da Vinci and Michaelangelo for the artist; Edison and Einstein for the engineer; Aquinas and Aristotle for the seminarian. It is with a hope that we embark upon our readings- a closet shy belief that we could make a difference the way they have.
The student therefore idealizes and idolizes. It is no surprise that we constantly hear about the differences between the studying and the sadly jaded "working world". Subconsciously, we do begin to dream and visualise the way working doesnt allow for. That is why we fight and we debate. But whilst the theories and the debates rages on in our minds, comes a fundamental question: what is right? Phrased in more philosophical terms, the question is, what is true?
Sad to say, this search is quite a disappointing one. The search for truth, leads not so much to the truth per se. Rather, it leads to the love for a search. It leads to a love of history and a love of interpretation. It leads to a love of analysis and a love of dialogue. And as all such loves arises from our lives and its diverse experiences, we inevitably also begin to marvel at creation. With faith, the marvel is turned towards the Creator. A catholic student of psychology, for example, treads on the hard technicalities of the law governing psychologists, and moves into the abstract morality underpinning it, which is influenced by dominant social philosophies. She takes one step back, and marvel at the wonders of human thought and the splendour of a history unfolding and evolving into a present that she is a part of and a future she will have a hand in making. And there, she sees God's hand in the course of human history and God's will set in motion for the future.
In the annals of centuries, philosophers and intellectuals have attended to a question that is now posed to the student: who am I? Grappling this question begins with theories. Theory about human nature and human origin. Theories about human thought. Each student will of course answer that differently. But whatever it is, the point is that we must answer if we do not want to be lukewarm and to be biblically "spat out". The point is that, this question is posed to us individually and incumbent upon each person to answer.
The only justifiable reason for this essay is therefore this: it is necessary for the students themselves to understand on an intellectual and personal level, the meaning of their professions. There is no better way to achieve this than to have them reflect on morality and ethics. They are answering "who am I as a professional"
At philosophy is where both the intellectual and personal converge: the student is asked about theories of morality, being made to read debates about ethics and begin seeing that her own profession will engage such ideas in reality. The doctor knows that the hipprocatic oath is the principle by which his conduct would be regulated by: do no harm. The psychologist knows that confidentiality is the essence of a patient's route to recovery. The lawyer knows that his first duty is to the court. This knowledge is therefore personalised only when there is discussion about what is right and wrong and when one comes to see that professions engage lives in an intimate manner- for some it could literally mean life or death. Academia is the kiss of the intellect on the soul. To put it simply, one must study.