A good post, Eliezer, but it brings to mind that quote about the horse, and the water—you know the one I mean. In my college years (as a philosophy major) it because clear that there were students who actually went through the process of digesting, seeking broader context, checking out other sources, and so on. And there were students who were there to get a BA. I don’t recall either group doing much better or worse on exams, papers, etc. But perhaps this is more common in the humanities, where reading is the main activity, than in the sciences...
As far as high school goes, Robin’s point about the true purpose of school is on target—it’s obvious that the primary function of high school is keeping rowdy, hormonal, unstable adolescents under control and out of everyone’s way until they stop being crazy. Also as a way to fill space between extracurricular activities.
A good post, Eliezer, but it brings to mind that quote about the horse, and the water—you know the one I mean. In my college years (as a philosophy major) it because clear that there were students who actually went through the process of digesting, seeking broader context, checking out other sources, and so on. And there were students who were there to get a BA. I don’t recall either group doing much better or worse on exams, papers, etc. But perhaps this is more common in the humanities, where reading is the main activity, than in the sciences...
As far as high school goes, Robin’s point about the true purpose of school is on target—it’s obvious that the primary function of high school is keeping rowdy, hormonal, unstable adolescents under control and out of everyone’s way until they stop being crazy. Also as a way to fill space between extracurricular activities.