Charlotte Greenwood

Philosophy

Hated, neglected, ignored, philosophy is the ugly duckling of education. Some call it over-the-top abstraction, unnecessary, fabricated knowledge, similar to the Chinese drop torture. I love philosophy and support that it is a branch of education that has great value. 

Indeed, philosophy is an extraordinary way to find a shallower meaning to life. What makes you feel more fulfilled than conversing with whom is interested in universal concepts, harms, absurdities of our existence? It provides a breath of fresh air on an intellectual standpoint. Every step then seems lighter. Every second seems less as a continual countdown: ’’ Tick, Tack, Tick, Tack, Tick, Tack ’’, and further as a blossoming of the mind. Although it makes you realize all the misunderstandings, all the gun shots in the foot, all the mindless behaviours of our far from pure race, you, at that juncture, fly of awareness. You discover wings that were veiled; you may then jump of the cliff deprived of distress, have an unblemished sight at the scenery and enjoy gliding through your flight the way you intend to, aware that some birds will never take that chance. They will pace their way through life, feet glued to the obscure soil, the head in the sand. Ostriches. Sadly, this is a part of philosophy; standing aware that ostriches are far from approaching extinction, that imposing introspection is merely impossible. All this does not take away to philosophy. Rarity is opulence. Philosophy erupts from within and this inner volcano helps you’re true nature glide through life as lava down the mountain, aware that rocks and precipices will challenge you’re way down the path.

Artist: Turner Title: Rain Steam Speed

Travelling Annexed To Studies: A Step Closer To Fulfilment

Travelling Annexed To Studies: A Step Closer To Fulfilment

Frequent travels should be included in the student's educational programs. Indeed, this would permit the learners expand their horizons and prevent them from staying sealed up in their traditional values. This would also help teenagers acquire socio-political, cultural and philosophical knowledge, in a more global state of mind, which will later help them make an illuminated decision concerning their life career. To continue, statistics show that students who have spent sabbatical years travelling, or who have done frequent road trips are afterwards more motivated and implicated in their field of studies.

                Sarah Park, 17 years old, science schoolgirl. She grew up in a strict family where catholic values have been taught and monitored, where freedom of thought and idea prohibited. She is talented in many things, clever and sociable. She always knew her profession would be science-related. She was a virtuous at it and knew this would assure a comfortable financial future for a family to grow. She goes through her daily routine without being quizzical. She does not know who she is, what she enjoys, if she is rambling the right path. It does not trouble her either. Her household applies pressure on her shoulders for remarkable grades, respectable behaviour and holy relationships. Is she exulted? Does her life fulfill her to its completest? Some may say she is glad in her traditional lifestyle, her locked-up schedule and far away plans. Has she really gotten the chance to see the real world? To choose? Is it fair for her to complete her parent's dreams, rather than living her life the way she would intend to? Has she been stimulated and encouraged enough in a variety of spheres to have a universal and impartial view of life and its significance?  That is the purpose for annexing travels to studies. Sarah could discover thing that she didn't even know existed, see places with dissimilar mindsets, and meet people that have contrasting lifestyles. All these things she would have never discovered in her family's barricades. And then, and only then, will she discover who she really is.

            Objectivity, independence, sense of justice, altruism, ambition, awareness, education, open-mindedness, modesty; these are only a few of the values that the upcoming generations could cultivate if travelling was an integral part of our educational system.  One of the main appraise that parents want to rub on their progenitors in knowledge and work ethic. Only, far too many of them overrate theoretical knowledge, conventional studies or hypothetical classes. What these tutors forget are all the tangible, practical, political, social, cultural and environmental knowledge that these institutional robotic students will get to acquire in explorations. How will they objectively decide which life-long career, lifestyle, place of residence, etc. to choose without having developed these – oh so important – values, awareness and practicality education? If we want an ethically correct future for generations to come, traveling annexed to studies is the solution to social infections.