The problem, in most academic or standard intellectual discourse, among undergraduates in American society -- is not a lack of the capacity for reason, and not a deficit of intellectual potential -- it is a lack of authenticity, in engagement -- we choose self-assertion over humility, we overestimate our own intellectual certainty, over the experiences -- older or younger of others -- we are quick to speak, anxious to prove our wisdom, which reveals only the foolish insecurity of the underdeveloped. The other thing is just about human will being more important than natural gifts in the internal rigor one possesses in their search. And that, of course, simply means honesty, integrity, commitment -- admission of failure, and also rejection of false modesty about what can come of ones own abilities. Unattended, our Being does not grow but either condemns itself to immobile stagnation and paleness -- or glorifies itself without having produced anything. It is in that tragic flaw of falling in love with ones own -- mere potential -- that we cease to look at the achievements of other beings with any acknowledgement or regard. Most of this is general advice, though -- not necessarily in academia exclusively.
Posted on: Thu, 09 Oct 2014 13:41:32 +0000