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December 1, 2004
On the Western-Centric Aspect of Classical Education
This was originally posted on my first blog. The original, with comments, can be found here. Comments and trackbacks were not moved to this site.
In which I show my racist and elitist side
... at least that's how some folks seem to see it.
In the classical education discussion below, a poster asked how I handle the western-centric aspect. That's a good question, and Sarah gave a nice answer.
Classical, Latin-based education is, by definition, the study of Western thought and culture. We study this because 1) it is the main basis of our current culture; and 2) it contains much of the best art, literature and philosophy the world has ever produced. This means that my kids education will be based on Western works and ideas, and that all other cutures and works will be largely viewed, and judged, through that lens.
However, a method of education is a tool, and only a tool. Classical education can be used to present an education that is focused on one people alone, that is elitist and even racist. But when such a thing happens, it is more the fault of the parent and teacher than the method of education.
Once I had considered using some Waldorf materials in our homeschool. I was cautioned against it by one person, who told me that Rudolph Steiner's philosophies promoted anti-semitism and other forms of racism. Okay. Obviously I don't want that in my home, but I am also capable of filtering material and throwing out what we don't want.
In short, giving your kids a classical education does not mean they will have blinders on, and only know about dead white men. If learning about the world's diverse cultures, peoples, religions, thougts and arts are important to you, you will allow that interest to rub off on your children. You'll read books, attend performances, go to museums, and talk to live people. Focusing your academic work on one area doesn't have to spill over into the rest of your life.
However, classical education does not foster multiculturalism. Multicultural education tells us that all cultures are equally worthy of study. Classical education tells us that some cultures are more worthy of study than others. Classical education more traditionally encourages the student to be discerning, and make judgements based on the great works of Western civilization; multiculturalism would tell us that this is racist and demeaning. Multiculturalism tells us that we cannot presume to judge other cultures.
We've all seen glimpses of a world in which all cultures, all religions, all ideas are upheld as equally good and equally worthy. It's a nice idea, but ultimately a problematic one. It leads to a greater world understanding, yes, but it also leads to confusion about morals and values. It leads to a lack of discernment. We must judge, and judge well, in order to know bad from good, right from wrong. We can only judge based on our own criteria. If we have no criteria ... what do we do?
I do want my kids to study and have some understanding for other cultures. I think it's extremely important that they understand that our way is not the only way, our mindset is not the only mindset. It's important that they understand not only the benefits of our Western culture, but also our failings and drawbacks. Nor am I saying that these other cultures have nothing good to offer us; of course they do. But I'm not afraid of giving my kids a yardstick, and classical education provides a yardstick that has been useful for many hundreds of years.
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