- Dec 2017
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engagements2017-18.as.virginia.edu engagements2017-18.as.virginia.edu
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must advance the knowledge & well-being of mankind: not infinitely, as some have said, but indefinitely, and to a term which no one can fix or foresee.
Referencing the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the similarity between the italicized words "infinitely" and "indefinitely" is one that is striking. They mean practically the same thing but the word "indefinitely" holds more authority in this sentence. It states that knowledge must be advanced indefinitely, or with no exact definite limits. The word "infinite" signifies an immeasurable extension, or extending to infinity. I am sitting here wondering what compelled the authors of this report to be so particular in their word choice, and why they chose to emphasis "indefinite" over "infinite". I dwell on this because of the emphasis that was placed on democratic writing and the idea that, in democratic writing, each word holds so much importance.
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Giving then a portion of their time to a finished knowledge of the latin and Greek, the rest might be appropriated to the modern languages, or to the commencement of the course of science, for which they should be destined.
I think it's interesting how such an emphasis is put on classical languages. I myself have recently been exploring the idea of majoring in Classics with a concentration in Latin, but I often wonder the value in doing so. Since the creation of this document, Latin and ancient Greek has become unnecessary to the culture. People often ask me, "why are you studying Latin?" and often times, I don't have a legitimate answer. I just find it endlessly fascinating.
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- Oct 2017
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engagements2017-18.as.virginia.edu engagements2017-18.as.virginia.edu
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that the condition of man cannot be ameliorated, that what has been, must ever be, and that to secure Ourselves where we are, we must tread with awfull reverence in the footsteps of Our fathers.
It's interesting how the Report casts the "footsteps of Our fathers" in a defective light. The concept that education is never-ending, and that future generations are superior to former generations is notable. Education is accredited as being the cause of power and happiness to a nation, which I think is an accurate assessment.
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And generally to form them to habits of reflection, and correct action, rendering them examples of virtue to others & of happiness within themselves.
The Rockfish Gap Report enumerates the purposes of higher education in a broad, general sense which is unlike descriptions of collegiate education today. To us, college is the basis for future careers. The cultivation of being tends to take second precedent. Sometimes, in the thick of schedules, we forget the overarching purpose of college that is expressed by this quote. The foundations of the University were geared toward this overall cultivation rather than specification, which is a healthy reminder going forward.
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