Thursday 19 July 2012

An Educated Person May Not Be A Cultured Person.

                                                                                                                Syed Rumman Athar Bukhari.


Outline:-
Introduction: The value of character-building
Paradox of Influence and Authority
Education as  the base of building society
Pointing-out educated culprits
Power corrupts
Intricating social values
Case study of an educated country: United States of AMERICA
The lethality of educated people: Development of Nuclear Weapons
Conclusion: Transforming education for character-building.



Essay:-


          The topic under discussion is "An Educated person may not be a Cultured person" draws attention to a very sensitive issue concerning human society in the advanced globalized world. It is true that a learned individual can not necessarily become a civilized man. It is considered that Education transforms pluralistic societies. However, when it is used for some vested interest, it corrupts even noble people(learned/ scholarly). The topic under discussion sketches a comparison between educational advancement and revered social norms and values.

           If we peep into the depth of the issue, it come to one's knowledge that an educated person may have authority in achieving some status. However, it is also true that a person who is even illiterate has far greater influence on the hearts and minds of  the people. Here comes the paradox of influence or authority. Taking examples from history, it is mentioned here that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) was not a learned person but in his insight and thought-provoking religious teachings prevailed not only in his time but in our present day era. On the other hand, people repudiate the servitude and subjugation a despotic and authoritative person either he be a PhD degree holder.


          Material progression comes through Education but a true human progress only comes through Knowledge. It is the Knowledge that makes a man a Human being. Educational degrees may increase the material worth of a person but it does not mean that it will also build-up his character. Thus, a contrast of capability and character-building is distinct to keep in mind in evaluating a person.

          When we judge a human being, we should not only judge him from his educational professionalism and outlook but also his character. A good natured person is better than an uncivilized educated individual. However, it does not mean that we completely set aside educational criterion. Education plus character-building run side by side.

          Taking historical appraisal for differentiating educational progression and development of humanity, it is pertinent to quote two historic events and developments. One, with the wave of enlightenment in Europe, an industrial revolution emerged which also gave birth to Capitalism and Colonialism. The So-called educated West ruled the Asian and African continents with the slogans of " White Man's burden" of native owners and imposed their lifestyle. They became uncivilized under the guise of civilized society. However, their rule could not perpetuate for long and people stood against colonization from so-called educated societies .


         Two, scientific development which cultivated the fruits of industrialization and state-of-the-art production of commodities also brought some negative fall-out in the shape of Weapons of Mass Destruction(WMD) which have become a perpetual obsession of catastrophic holocaust for humanity. The concepts of Assured Destruction, Balance of Terror and Mutual Assured Destruction challenged the very educated person who triggered nuclear weapons in the two cities of Japan; Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Augast,1945 in the World War II. These lethal and destructive weapons are the question marks on the so-called educational society. The nuclear attacks by the United States on japan validate the assertion of Lord Acton that "power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely."


        Given the situation, it is worth-mentioning that we pick out those educated culprits who are stigmas on the face of human beings. An accountability process as well as a thorough evaluation of ourselves would serve a role in establishing a peaceful, prosperous and pluralistic society.


        Talking from Devil's advocate, it is to be kept into account that education provides a base for building societies. Today's development and progress is only possible through Education. If there had been no input, there would be a chaos and anarchy. Germany, Japan, France and other countries like them are progress only through Research and Development. However, it is observed that high rates of suicides, divorce, murders, crimes, etc are committed In these countries. The reason for their  discontentment is that they are educated but not cultured.

      Last but not the least, it is high time to harness Education for both Material as well as Human development. Revered ideas of morality, ethics and norms should be incorporated in a learned person.

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