I have been thinking about the idea of “conventional wisdom” since I read that it was coined by Galbraith (an economist) as an insult. This insult is a badge of honor today for most of the students. Concrete thinking is valued and formal and abstract thinking is for the intellectuals in ivy (or is it ivory) towers.
This prejudice is a barrier to learning. Why are Americans so anti-intellectual? Why are the French so pro-intellectual (just using the French since they fit the stereotype)?
I think both statements are inaccurate. French, Americans and most homosapiens think in concrete terms. The abstract thinking that brings us the sciences is a skill that is learned through practice. It takes effort to learn this skill. The French do not think anymore in the abstract than Americans. It is just the French find it cool to be intellectual and Americans do not.
We have to think of ways to make the topic interesting for the students. If we do not they will dismiss our topic with: “That is too theoretical!”
No comments:
Post a Comment