Reflections on General Education

Authors

Ollin J. Drennan, Western Michigan University

Abstract

Life is a series of events into which an individual enters, modifying each event by his memory and his expectations. Each of us finds ourselves involved in all the things that happen to us almost as though we were observers standing aside and watching as well as participating. Through our culture we learn to separate our thinking about our lives from the living of them. Often our living seems to flow inescapably and inevitably along and all we can do is learn to understand the more important parts of it. That we might affect the way that flow of events proceeds often seems unthinkable and beyond any effort on our part. This is not true. There are many ways in which we can, and do, affect the path our lives follow. One of the benefits that can come from education is the understanding that to a great extent our lives are under our control and that we can determine their directions if we wish. Involved in this understanding is knowledge of a great variety of aspects of our lives: personal aspects and the effect of our lives as we impinge on others. Such abstract considerations as philosophy and religion must be related to such concrete topics as chemistry and biology. To learn that we can direct the flow of our lives means to learn also the variety of choices we may exercise and the different value systems that go with the various choices.

Recommended Citation

Drennan, Ollin J. (1973) "Reflections on General Education," Perspectives (1969-1979): Vol. 5: No. 1, Article 8.
Available at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/perspectives/vol5/iss1/8