9 of 10

Write now Article Tools

Page 3 of 4

applicationsthey might be able to create wonders on a colossal scale. At present, however, their disdain for external application leaves their immense brainpower to uselessly ferment. The intellectuals who have an astounding capacity for self-improvement are today the least likely to undertake it.

There is another side to this prevalent mind-body dichotomy, of course. Many resolute, productive, action-oriented people today hold the academic disciplines in contempt much like many intellectuals today hold real-world action in contempt. To the "practical people," the study of rhetoric or literature or history or even highly theoretical mathematics holds little value, because there is little profit to be had in the direct application of these disciplines. At least, so the majority of the "practical people" think. The intellectual who rightly perceives great value in the academic disciplines can choose to be frustrated with this attitude, or he can choose to change his approach in presenting these disciplines.

Let us compare two approaches. Following the first approach, the intellectual presents an idea to the "practical person" such that the latter clearly understands the idea's value in making money, improving his product, or bringing him a healthier, more fulfilling life. Following the second approach, the intellectual says, "Bah! Those real-world applications are beneath me. You will benefit from this knowledge for its own sake." Which approach will better convince the "practical person" of the value of academic disciplines?

The "practical people" have spent their entire lives learning how to survive and flourishthough they might not formulate this objective in such abstract terms. They might not have the intellectual's extensive storehouse of academic knowledge, but they diligently apply what knowledge they have to the task of survival and flourishing. They almost always get ahead of the intellectual who only accumulates knowledge and rarely applies it. Yet if an intellectual chose to make use of his abilities and harness them in service of his flourishing, he would be unstoppable. Furthermore, any who doubted the value of academic knowledge to success would quickly perceive otherwise and follow suit in accumulating this knowledge.

The aim of this essay is not to alter the approach of the "practical people"; they can do quite well for themselves at present. If they choose to obtain and harness academic knowledge to further enhance their flourishing, they will

• << previous page
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Truth: Ideas require application?
We want to hear your view. Write now!