Gutenberg College in Eugene, Oregon puts out a newsletter about ten times each year. The current issue addresses a question with which many of Granite's students and parents have wrestled: is a classical education really advisable, advantageous, or even appropriate to students pursuing a field that is mathematical or science related? To read the article, go to this link and download the current issue: Gutenberg Newsletter or download the .pdf off of Edline's News section.
An interesting article. Thank you for this link. I have read Dr. Dewberry's book, "Saving Science". I recall being in disagreement with him on several points. As to the article, a few thoughts...
ReplyDelete1) I agree that scientists are trained as technicians, but I chafe at his pejorative nuance to the designation "technician". Both my plumber and my neurosurgeon are technicians. I am very thankful to God that they have developed these finally honed technical skills, as I am ill equipped to deal with complications arriving in either discipline.
2) I would suggest that mathematics and science as disciplines should be handled with greater distinction that Dr. Dewberry has done. In particular, where a scientist is a "technician", a mathematician is a "linguist". Mathematics is the language of science, and as such has the ability to express certain ideas and concepts with greater alacrity than a less ably adapted language.
3) The important questions of life become important because of their context. In the right context, the most important question of life may be, "Now which on of these mushrooms was poisonous?" One must avoid the temptation to over-indulge in hyperbole when making one's point. For instance, the contention that concerns of culture and society are "secondary" to concerns of the relationship of the individual to his or her God seems to miss the spirit of Matthew 22:36-40.
Just a few thoughts... Thank you again for sharing this thought provoking article!