What makes for a well-rounded individual?
Do you need to know your classics? Classic books, plays, films?
Do you need to know your contemporary culture?
Do you need to know what is going on in the world?
Do you need to be well-versed in a specialty field?
Do you need to know your basic science, physics, astronomy... ?
Do you need to know something about art in general?
The tempting thing is to answer "yes" to all of them, but the issue quickly presents itself that each of those, well done, is easily a full time study, leaving no time for all the others.
... Which of course gives us the conundrum, is it best to compromise and know a little in all of them, or to specialize?
How about the scientist who is a world leader in his field, but who has no idea who Tom Cruise or David Bowie are? Is he to be pitied compared to the person who can talk to anybody about any culture, but who will leave little mark on the world in his lifetime?
UPDATE:
I agree with commentators that interest must be the drive.
But this is for individuals. We also judge each other, and make demands. This is perhaps most clearly felt in the school system. Students are required to learn many things that only a tiny minority of them will ever use in practice. The reason for this can only be society's (that's all of us) desire to raise well-rounded individuals.
... Which is... good? I guess? Or would we all ultimately be better off if all of us only had to study what we are really interested in?
I'd say it's a much better idea to look for things you -really- like to do, instead of trying to be a 'well rounded individual'. That's maybe interesting but no fun. My experience is when you're awarely and actively choose to do certain things, you automatically develop yourself in different ways. After a while you'll find yourself being a well-rounded individual. HS!
ReplyDeleteA well-rounded individual will be curious and open to new ideas and experiences, that's the first requirement. Beyond that, the individual must also possess the willingness to work hard to delve beneath the surface of things to discover their true nature and must then possess the intellect to understand what is discovered. A real test is to successfully apply what is learned to the living and enjoyment of life. The most exceptionally "well-rounded" individauls become willing teachers and mentors, striving selflessly to help others in their pursuit of a fuller, richer life.
ReplyDeleteI reject the idea of a standard "laundry list" of things to be learned and then checked-off, because of vastly different cultural identities and realities; a bushman can be more well-rounded in his particular cultural environment than most liberal arts graduates ever are in their own.
I agree with you both that interest must be the drive.
ReplyDeleteBut this is for individuals. We also judge each other, and make demands. This is perhaps most clearly felt in the school system. Students are required to learn many things that only a tiny minority of them will ever use in practice. The reason for this can only be society's (that's all of us) desire to raise well-rounded individuals.
... Which is... good? I guess? Or would we all ultimately be better off if all of us only had to study what we were really interested in?
Earlier today, I came up with a funny thought. Any idiot can sound smart if they're around bigger idiots. That in itself in not pertinent, but the reverse statement, "Someone smart can sound dumb if they're around smarter people," reminded me of this blog. Because then I thought about how I sound very smart sometimes, but sometimes I don't feel that way at all. But it's not because I'm around smarter people. They're just more socially adept than me. And both intelligence and social skills can come in many forms, as would be suggested by your blog.
ReplyDeleteI believe I am a fairly knowledgeable person, but I only feel that way when I can carry on an intelligent conversation. And that only comes when I'm around the right kind of people. Those people aren't necessarily those of the same intelligence level or even with the same interests as me: they're simply the right kind. Perhaps this means they have certain qualities which allow them to connect with me, while other people have different qualities. So perhaps to be well-rounded you would need all of them.
I know this isn't quite where you were headed with this blog, but it's always good to explore ideas. In conclusion, a smart person can sound dumb if he's around people of average intelligence who can make good conversation with each other. But none of them are quite well-rounded.