It is not an easy question but important & fundamental to the complex world we live in. Type & quality of education or what we classify as education are intertwined with our condition, worldview and ideals.
” Education as a prerequisite of happiness” was the topic of a debate championship I happened to watch on Korean TV.
It was discussed passionately and in articulate English by Korean students. The proposition by students playing the government side was that education drives self awareness & social attainment… and therefore, should be legislated into law. The opposition argued that the government’s proposition lacked analytical basis, not measurable and that happiness is an individual matter and not subject to quantitative standards or legislation. The argument went back and forth between three members of each side prompted by moderator and subject to voting by a panel and audience applause or silence. Participants showed high level of command on the various aspects of the topic and English language.
As I watched I could not help but think about Iran and what might have been. That at the pace Iran was moving, she would be a powerhouse to contend with. With the advantage going to Iran as she had a head start on Korea on top of the wealth from our natural resources to fund it. That this is the type of discussion Iranian students could be participating in, rather than being physically and mentally shackled by religion and tyranny. And that if I were a betting man, my money would be on Iranian kids any day of the week.
Yet I could not help but be impressed by Koreans. Their rise from wars, subjugation and abject poverty to build a proud and progressive nation. I recall how in late 90‘s some Korean colleagues proudly talked about their elders’ poverty as we viewed some displays in a theme restaurant outside of Seoul. They passionately explained how elders would be left outside to die or be fed by the generous who would spare them some food…..that Seoul now had the highest percentage of PHD’s of any city in the world and was the most wired city.
Koreans are a different country, history and culture but I could not help compare fortune & misfortune of two peoples; and possibilities for beautiful Iran.
The opposition arguing against education as prerequisite for happiness won the championship.
