School of Thought by Tyler

School of Thought by Tyler - August 2015 Scholarship Essay

In a world filled to the brink with sensationalism and irrationality, it is often times very easy to be swept away by emotions. Such emotional connections are inevitable in respect to family, friends, and even the nightly news reports, but there is a time and place to put such subjectivity aside and focus on mere facts and reasoning. Unfortunately, the popular consensus is to put emotions into areas in which they serve little purpose: government, politics, and many other areas of supposed objectivity. Because of the rise in irrationality, I think that it would benefit the youth immensely to implement a Rational Reasoning Course within the American Educational system.

This rationality-based course should not teach students to allow logic to supersede emotions in every situation, for emotions serve a hugely important purpose within society and humankind as a whole. Instead, the first lesson would be how to determine whether a conflict requires logic, emotional connections, or both. These types of lessons would allow the students to become more reason-based as a whole, leading to a stronger generation which does not focus on mere sensationalism. The lessons of objectivity would also allow students to be more equipped and prepared for future careers, as many occupations rely on logicality: factional newspaper reporters, politicians, judges, lawyers, judges, military directors, scientists, and entrepreneurs.

Not only would a Rational Reasoning Course allow success within the student’s future career, but it would also allow them to ground themselves in the basis of who they are: their worldview. Inevitably, everybody determines what they stand for and believe in, but a Rational Reasoning Course would also give them the ability to examine the reasons behind what they believe in. The advantage given is that the student will delve into the epistemology of their beliefs, and as a result, they would have a stronger sense of identity and purpose.

There have been many instances of social tensions and controversial statements given by people across the country, and reactions are as numerous as they are contrasting. For example, many Rap/Hip Hop albums have been produced in the past 50 years that the public took to being obscene and unfit for publication. These issues led to many legal battles and the public was split on this issue; should the Constitution allow such obscene language to be produced as an extension of the right to free speech, or should the parent’s moral and emotional compass take priority in this situation? Both in that time period and this one, it would be extremely valuable for the youth to have schooling in the topic of logic and reasoning. Controversial issues will never cease, but the only way to find the clear solution and course of action is to collect facts, evidence, and then determine whether or not the incident requires an emotional or logical approach to it.

Philosophers since the age of Socrates knew the value of logic and the practical applications inherently within it. It is time for the students of future generations to develop the ability to be objective and focus on facts. Although emotions have a clear place in the social order, many people do not contain the ability of critical thinking and reasoning; as such, it would be invaluable for a Rational Reasoning Course to be implemented; to make it clear that the logos of humanity is lacking in today’s society, and must gain higher attention from everyone if this great country is to continue its goal of serving the people equitably.