Is There Any Value in Education? Some Viewpoints on the Subject May Surprise You

All literate English-speaking people have a great deal of respect for Isaac Asimov, but it’s hard to understand his and so many others’ disdain for education as it is delivered in our schools.  And some have been so much more cutting in their remarks.

Mark Twain said, “I have never let my schooling interfere with my education,” though he was a playful, comedic chap and it’s hard to know how seriously he meant this.

Here’s one that stings far worse: “Men are born ignorant, not stupid; they are made stupid by education,” attributed to Bertrand Russell, one of world history’s most erudite intellectuals, educated at Trinity College at the University of Cambridge.

Does this seem like a reasonable thing to say, given our own experiences?  I didn’t teach myself physics.  Most of us have a great deal of gratitude to our teachers, and rightfully so.