Friday, January 29, 2010

Specialization - Book II

Does it seem odd to anyone else that China does the sort of thing Socrates talks about in Book II? Not as much as they used to, but they certainly train their olympic teams from birth. I think Socrates' idea to build the perfect city is a good one, but it sounds to me like he's making it up on the spot, which I suppose it true, but his argument just seems weak, especially when he begins to explain Guardians. I understand he is explaining the impossible, but it seems he has a somewhat difficult time doing so.

Regardless of that (thank you for letting me vent my frustration), I like the idea of building a city on specialization. It sort of reminds me of communism, but again we are talking in ideals here so let's entertain the idea. I honestly question why we (Americans) insist on educating everyone formally. Why not have a process for determining one's skills/talents/passions and put him in a training program at an early age? Perfection is impossible, but I imagine that the bar of potential would be raised for achievements in all vocations.

-Mr. Carter

3 comments:

  1. I do believe, Mr. Carter, that specialization from a young age is a great idea and hasn't only been implemented in China, but in, for example, Germany to an extent. My main question is, however, how early is an "early age"? Many of us, as we have developed, changed our passions or developed stronger ones. While the idea of specialization is, in theory, a fantastic way to run the most efficient society, who decides what occupation the next generation will fulfill? Would this turn into semi-stagnant, emotionally deprived society only focused on their tasks--or is that what must be sacrificed for efficiency?

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  2. I don't like how the city relates to communism, and I believe that is what the city will end of as. Like Mr. Carter said, perfection is impossible. However, many will die trying to prove everyone wrong.

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  3. Although I understand where you are coming from, that people would be better at what they did if they did it and no other job from the earliest age possible. But I think it would cause the American people not to understand each other as well as create an even bigger hierarchy. Even though this would be for the good of the country, I don't think Americans would be apt to go along with it. Everyone would want to be a Philosopher king or guardian.

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