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WHAT IS AN EDUCATED MAN?
Rosemary Ruppert~ XIIA First in Senior ~ssay
In classical times this would not have been a difficult question to answer because so few people would qualify. Then, an educated man was one who spent his time evolving astounding theories concerning astronomy or the creation of man. In the Middle Ages also, educated men were considered rather scarce because they were usually monks who spent most of their time laboriously translating the Bible and transferring the scrip- ture to rolls of parchment in gold \'lriting. Even in the Vic- torian Era it was an accomplishment to be educated because it was generally considered that such a person had re~d the Illiad in Greek, could quote Goethe in German, and read Latin aloud fluently. Now, the general concepti n of an educated man is one that has gone to college. This is not necessarily true.
An educated man is one to whom other men will listen·.
A formal education may have different values for the ave- rage man. It has been called an obstacle to thought, but it should really be a mehtod to achieve orderly thinking. An educated man has used it so. Th.e introduction of "if"· and "therefore" statements in geometry helped him.to analyse the ordinary problems he ment every day and to arrive at a solu- tion. In chemistry he observed that every detail is linked
up to make a complete whole and, in applying this to everyday life, concluded that ·there is an explanation for everything and not hing exists without a plausible reason.
Although all educated men are basically the same, there is a difference to-day depending on what part of the world one is in~ The educated man in the United States or Canada is verv different from the educated man in England or France. In America, he has gone to college and probably concentrated a good deal on having a good time. In France he has also gone to college but it is generally understood that he has also arisen at five o'clock in the morning to study and con- tinued, almost without a break, until eight o'clock at night. Even his appearance distinguishes him. The European college student has narrow shoulders, but a mature brow, while the American graduate has broad shoulders and a childish express- ion. The former is really the better educated.
Despite the belief of most people that a man is not really educated until he has a degree, a man may still be educated
and yet not have completed public school. To be educated, the main requirement is that a man knows what he is talking about, whether it is the best way to splice a rope or the Laws of Relativity. The hunting guide from the woods of Northern On- tario, well-versed in bush-lore and acquainted with the habits of the wild-life, is really as well educated as the university lecturer. Both have studied to achieve proficiency in their particular field.
No matter in what station of life the educated man may be he has several basic distinguishing characteristics. His ex- pression shows an inner serenity, arising from the fact that he has developed a philosophy of life. Other than that, is conversation betrays his educational status. When he speaks, it is apparent that the educated man has an opinion. He has thought about the subject and reached his own conclusion, and yet is tolerant of other's veiws. An educated man thinks more than he talks, and does not forcibly discuss subjects that he has not thought about.
In whatever walk of life an educated man may be, he is of great value to the rest of humanity. He is a leader, an inspi- ration and an example. And what is an educated man? Although this may not seem to apply in the scientifically minded modern
world, a re3lly educated man is still one who has realized that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.