by Peabody Snickersbee

Created on: August 26, 2008

What should a person know at least a little of to be considered to have an all round education?

Nowadays most of us know very little of science or philosophy, or if we do, we know very little about other things. The nature of our lives and the demands of specialization make it difficult if not impossible to have what in past times would have been considered a well-rounded' education.

Leaving aside the need to pass exams and achieve proof' of an education that might get you a wage paying job or even a professional position. What range of subjects should be included in any optimum all round education?

These subjects do not need to be known to an advanced degree, this would now be beyond the average or even above average mind. But to have a basic grasp of the major controversies and debates with the subjects and an awareness of what they contribute to the human condition. An awareness that goes beyond the dumb-downed versions offered in the media when ever a new discovery' or breakthrough' is made.

My list in no particular order is:

Science the thought processes as well as major areas of current research.

History how historians approach their craft, not just a bunch of factoids.

Literature awareness of this means of expression and the ideas people have tried to express, not analysis of style'.

Sociology some knowledge of how this discipline informs us about people in the mass and its limitations.

Politics there are many ways to govern a country, many of them good and most of them not the American way.

Economics too important to be left to either the economists or the politicians, an awareness that this is not a branch of mathematics would be a good start.

Medicine/biology we in the rich nations increasingly obsess about health, more knowledge might answer the question: Are we getting our money's worth?

Environment one of the big questions of the age, but behind the hype, what do we know?

Philosophy/religion one of the big questions of the past and one that still is big, it just seems that our answers start with McDonald's now days.

Music a whole area of life too often reduced to having a favorite band.

Sport another great area of life, too often left to observation rather than participation - might help with the health obsession too.

Mathematics brains develop differently and frequently schools merely serve to convince some they should give up on this - too important not to be looked at again.

Information technology is it just a tool or is it a new way of life? Ignorance will only ensure that it is a chain.

Culture the sum of us? What about others then? We desperately need to know something more than that we are the best'.

Language pick one any one and learn it. Break the bonds of the single language speaker.

If we could all speak sensibly about each of these meaning we knew enough to know what we don't know. What kind of world would we be living in? Or would we just be happier living in it, or perhaps so unhappy it must change?

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