Deep Thinkers Missing In Action

Deep Thinkers Missing In Action discusses the presence of intellectualism on college campuses. Clayton notes, "Critical thinking, self-examination, and questioning of assumptions area all widely genuflected to as part of any good college education. That's not what's happening on many college campuses."

He goes on to state students seem more interested in using college to get a job than to pursue intellectual goals. Well, who's fault is that? Professors weakened curriculum, administators weakened admission criteria, and everyone involved made a tidy sum. We have this ridiculous notion that a college degree suddenly makes you worth more to the workforce. So, they let more people into college who wouldn't have made the cut 50 years ago, they broaden and weaken the curriculum, and then lament that not enough students want to spend free time at the library discussing metaphysics. Shocking.

Couple more things. He gave another source for possible review, "When Intellectual Life Is Optional for Students." Clayton also brought up Harvard's attempt to address grade inflation.

"It's possible to have kids who are very bright, capable, and hardworking, who are not neccessarily intellectual in terms of being inquisitive, part of the life of the mind, in pursuit of knowledge for its own sake." Aaron Friedburg.

They may not pursue the fields of knowledge you think are worthy. I'm an avid football fan. I study different schemes, offensive and defensive. I've studied the West Coast Offense and have a pretty solid grasp on the pre-snap read algorithms, the pass route selection and their progression methodology. I even read Jerry Sandusky's sawdust sandwich "Developing Linebackers the Penn State Way." I just have no time or interest in reading Wordsworth. Did enough of that in college (English major). Studying football isn't deemed "intellectual."

Again, is it really "anti-intellectual" by definition, or because a certain class won't dignify other fields as "intellectual." It is knowledge for knowledge's sake, right?