|
The
ability of a student to think clearly using reasoning and
logical thinking is of paramount importance in order to
ensure his or her success as an individual after graduation
from a university. To be able to look at a situation and
use logic and reason to analyze the facts and develop an
opinion or solution is to have a solid foundation for success
in all aspects of life. Exploring one's emotions is important,
but it is outside of the realm of what can be learned in
a university classroom. Emotional self-exploration is best
done outside of a classroom situation, although there may
be some opportunity for students in the classroom to learn
a methodology for doing so.
The
ability to survive and thrive in a society is based on the
assumption that human beings act according to reason and
logic. From a very early age, most people are taught that
certain actions will bring about certain reactions, and
that by using logic you can figure out what the response
will be in most situations. Reasoning is also developed
early on, although sometimes it is difficult to explain
reasoning to a two-year old. Humans are probably born with
a desire for reason and logic, as demonstrated by almost
any child's incessant asking of the question "Why?".
To understand the underlying reasons why something happens
is a fundamental part of human nature, proven by the exploits
of explorers, scientists and mathematicians over the course
of human history.
As
a result, the basic framework of most forms of human society
requires that a person must act according to the demands
of reason and logic. Rules of law are based on the concept
that individuals respond to rules based on reasoning and
logic. The ability to think according to logic and reason
is so imperative that it is essential that it be taught
to university students at even the highest levels. What
if law schools and medical schools decided that it was more
important to allow students to explore their own emotions
at the expense of learning the latest laws or medical techniques?
Perhaps one course could be taught to help students to deal
with the emotional demands of being a lawyer or a doctor,
but to train students to explore their own emotions at the
expense of learning about logical and reasonable thinking
would be to invite catastrophe in society.
One
of the main problems with emphasizing to students the importance
of exploring one's own emotions is that it creates a "me
first" attitude towards their studies. Certainly a
degree of self-introspection is necessary to deal with society,
but to put emphasis on this above all else is to inculcate
in the student the idea that he or she is more important
than others, and that what he or she thinks matters a great
deal more than it probably does in reality. Too much emotional
self-exploration could create individuals who see their
emotions as more important than what they contribute to
society, which would damage that society as a whole.
A
certain amount of self-introspection into one's emotions
is probably helpful to the development of a student as an
overall person. Usually this kind of activity is explored
fully in basic psychology classes that most students are
required to take at university. Basic courses in sociology
and psychology as well as other humanities courses give
students plenty of opportunity to explore their own emotions.
Rather than teaching students how to explore their own emotions,
it would seem to be a better idea to teach students how
to deal with these emotions. Only by instructing students
in reasoning and logic can they learn how to apply whatever
inner emotions they may have to becoming a successful member
of a society.
(627
words) |
