Nietzsche teaches similar to Darwinism: natural selection, which is where the circle of life naturally kills off the weak, as they are easier to take down, and promotes the survival and growth of the strong, since they reproduce to create strong offspring and now are the next targets for predators. In a way, is this not unlike our symposiums?
Those who study and prepare for the symposiums do well and their grades reflect their hard work while those who slack off and don't prepare (or prepare less than they should) do less well or even poorly, reflecting their efforts, or to compare to Darwinism, their strengths and weaknesses. The strong prepare and the weak don't, just like how the strong control the flow of the discussions and the weak merely add on or remain silent. The weak, "killed off" by the predators (grades) are leaving the strong to survive and grow (study more and do better in the symposiums and ultimately the class).
I also believe Nietzsche would think that our education system is a sham, allowing those unprepared by the failing education system (and possibly outside of the school system) to move on to subjects and work that expects them to have learned and mastered what they have not previously. Some in the class think it would be wrong to "leave a child behind" in such a way, but if the system itself was proper in doing its job by actually educating us and challenging us in a healthy manner, then our society as a whole would benefit because it wouldn't just suddenly be harder for those already in the system, but would help grow and expand the minds of those just entering it. Personally, I would struggle in this system because after 17 years in school, i have rarely been challenged, simply cruising through classes that have been slowed down for the general public. Perhaps if there were more opportunities for more challenging classes, not just upping the system for everyone (not everyone learns as quickly or in the same manners for any and every subject) then we would have more balance and less stress with a better set of minds.
I am interested in what you all think on this (it was a little jumbled at the end, sorry)
Darwinism isn't necessarily the killing off of the weak and the survival of the strongest. It's survival of the "fittest" meaning that the species/organism that is better suited for an environment and its predators/climate/resources is the organism that is going to survive. Just because an organism doesn't survive in that environment it doesn't mean that it is necessarily "weak". That organism is just "unfit" for the adaptations needed to survive in that environment.
ReplyDeleteWith that being said I totally agree with you on your argument about the education system. Throughout my high school years teachers had to slow down for students who didn't really care about their grades in the first place. Students should not have to suffer for those who are unfit for the classroom or who don't really want to be there. I cruised through high school but also challenged myself by taking AP courses so that's always an option for those who don't want to abide by the "no child left behind" rule.