Knowledge is politics

Franklin D. Roosevelt said that the most important task after the war was to continue the political education of the American people. That, ostensibly, has not happened, otherwise the elections would not be commercialized smear campaigns, but much needed publicly sponsored educational challenges.
There is a lot of public discussion about education. Much of it deals with the sky-rocketing costs, especially for a university education: it is increasingly unaffordable, but necessary for getting a job. So students must accept becoming deeply indebted.
There are also public worries about testable achievements, especially in the sciences, in comparison with those in European and Asian countries. Invariably two questions are posed: "How much does it cost?" and "Who is going to pay for it?"
It is all about structuring education to fit into the capitalist system, the path to happiness and salvation. Patently, the only alternative is Bolshevism!
There are also discussions about educational improvements, rewarding better teachers and providing parents with alternatives to schools that are failing. These are all "pragmatic" options, tweaking the status quo.
Fundamental pedagogic queries are never explored, as if all that had been settled long ago. The common assumptions appear to be that children are "by nature" rebellious and disruptive and need to be disciplined; that knowledge and responsibility must be forced on them. Parents fear that otherwise their kids will fail and end up in prison or detox centers. While education prepares us for work and drudgery, our consumer culture offers escapes. And pain killers.
These days, when we are once more in a recession (or is it really a depression?) only the movie industry is making big profits, as it did in the Thirties. Relatively inexpensive, (if you forego the sodas and popcorn!) short-lived distractions are the current opium for the masses.
Can we overcome these pressures and the culture that feeds on them?
Can we escape from Plato's Cave?
With regard to education, we should remember Aristotle: by nature, humans desire to know. We need not pound it into the their little heads.
Aristotle also philosophized about Happiness. After considering the alternatives, all contingent on deprivations (the sick want health, the poor want wealth), he concluded that Leisure brings Happiness. Unfortunately, we're going in the opposite direction: more jobs, more slavery.
And then there is the Department of Homeland Security. Security! The Last illusion!
We need a Department of Insecurity to do justice to the human condition. Alan Watts The Wisdom of Insecurity is an excellent primer. It helps us see things as they are.
To bring about change we must re-invent ourselves: let our children to be who they are; let them be free to follow their curiosity.
Freedom is frightening. Roosevelt told us the truth: "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself!"
 
[1 marzo 2009]