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The basic elements of English 102 comprise a “closed system.” We have an authority figure, our teacher, who lays down the laws by which we must abide. Naturally, there are punishments and rewards such as an A, which is a reward, and a F, which is punishment for unacceptable work or behavior.
The basic volume of law is our textbook, “Critical
Thinking, Thoughtful Writing.” We are much more comfortable with
thoughtful writing, because we have not been trained to critically think.
Under these governing principles, the class is conducted in a
logical and systematic procedure. The teacher, being a member of
the ruling class, manipulates and controls the students to obtain adherence
to the principles of the closed, classroom system. Since education
is used to transmit facts, beliefs, and values, we view this control as
reasonable, justifiable, and legitimate. In a since, we are his captive
prisoners for the duration of the class. Even at the expense of our
personal interests, we believe the teacher, the ruler, has a right to dominate
us.
The practical person of today is a stickler for facts and results. We accept theories of all kinds provided that they are firmly grounded in fact. Everyone believes in scores of assumptions for which there is good evidence, but no visual proof. In today’s society as man studies the material world, the outward appearances reveal nothing of the inward reality.
For instance, an object is a mass of electrons whirling around each other. Precise laws govern these tiny particles, and these laws hold true throughout the material world. We have no reason to doubt it, because science tells us it is true.
However, when a perfectly logical assumption is suggested that underneath the “material world” there is a creative intelligence, we balk at the idea. We set out to convince ourselves that this is not true.
We read books and produce arguments believing
our universe needs no creative thinking to explain it. Were this
true, then life originated out of nothing and means nothing. We choose
to believe that our human intelligence is the last and final word.
We miss the beauty of the forest because of the ugliness of some of the
trees. We never give the inner or spiritual side a chance.
Social pressures push us to conform to society, to give up our
social freedom. Political institutions control us through laws, police,
courts, and punishment, such as imprisonment. The people we interact
with control us by being ready to embarrass, scold, or hurt us if we do
not behave in a particular manner. Families and friends control us
by threatening to withdraw their love or friendship if we fail to live
up to their expectations. These are real things that constrain us
in the same way a prison confines prisoners. Thus, this control turns
us into prisoners of society.
We are taught to believe that we should respect
the law, accept punishment for unacceptable behavior, to love our parents,
and to adhere to the principles of what is good or proper in some way.
This social control cannot hold us prisoner without our consent.
Yet, we eagerly accept these beliefs as our own. We are bound to
support society, even when it attempts to control us.
On this note, we should proceed through English and through life
based upon an open system. We should not carry the garbage, preconceived
notions, of a closed system to any aspect of our lives. There are
questions for each individual to decide for themselves.
In relation to English 102, I am beginning to appreciate the direction of the class. Though such an unusual approach may be disturbing to some, it has expanded my concept of what we readily accept to be the concrete law written in stone.
English 102 presents us with a paradox. We operate under the “closed system,” however; the atmosphere is typical of an “open system.” A fine example of this was our assigned essay on concepts. We were given the rules to follow, we were expected to complete the assignment in a required period of time, and we expected to receive a grade. The framework was concrete; however, the concept was illusive and not easily defined or put into neat little tidbits of facts. We could not wrap up the information into a standard, little box. Rather, we were required to think and to determine our personal opinions and convictions on the subject.
This proved to be a hard pill to swallow. We were not accustomed to thinking freely; we only knew how to write based on logic, reason, and fact. Up until this particular class, all our resources of information came from the teacher, a book, or possibly the Internet. How in the world were we supposed to come up with information by personal reflection and thought? We were presented with what we believed to be an impossible task.
The outcome was quite enlightening. Personally, I benefited greatly from this experience in writing. The concept essay shed light on many things that had remained buried within me for decades. For me, it was a sort of catharsis, a self-actualizing experience.
Human beings interact with one another not by rigidly following the rules of society, but by creatively interpreting each other’s actions. We can “freely” manipulate our interactions and influence each other’s opinions. We can also negotiate for better social conditions and opportunities associated with our statuses or roles. Thus, despite the constraints of social institutions, we can exercise freedom in face-to-face interactions with others.
In closing, consider the possibility of things beyond our realm of reality. Consider the Wright brothers’ invention of the flying machine. It was their faith that they could build a machine that would fly that was the inspiration for their accomplishment. Without that, nothing would have happened. Perhaps, we rely too heavily on reason; because we are afraid that we will lose our support.
In the realm of the material world, superstition,
tradition, all sorts of fixed ideas clutter our minds. Do we not
have confidence in our ability to think? Do we not believe in our
power of reasoning? Were nothing left but pure reason, it wouldn’t
be life worth living.
If you have comments or suggestions, email me at nandoman1@zdnetonebox.com
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