[MD] Pirsig the Prophet

[MarshaV]

At 12:24 PM 8/20/2007, you wrote:


>[Marsha]
> > A week or so ago, I heard a panel discussion on 'Education'. These
> > "specialists" were bemoaning some testing done that indicated high
> > school students, even AP students, had very little knowledge of
> > Economics.  It seemed ironic that economics was important while
> > instructions in critical thinking and civics is nonexistent.
>
>[Platt]
>I think kids should be taught that money doesn't grow on trees and
>that there ain't no free lunch, not to mention 
>the basics of the free enterprise
>system. But, I agree other subjects shouldn't be slighted as a result.

Platt,

A free enterprise might promote something 
dynamic, but it does not help youngster develop 
high values.  When Chris asked Phædrus what he 
should be when he grew up, he was told honest, 
not an entrepreneur.  Your point-of-view is so 
entangled with economics that you don't seem to 
be able to see the forest for the trees.  I think 
self-respect, self-esteem and self-discipline 
should taught.  And if you possess those factors, 
you will see them in others.  It's time to move 
beyond considering consumerism as the primary force in the world.

And I don't think I might be wrong.

Marsha