Spencer Heath Archive

Item 547

Fragment of taping by Spencer MacCallum from conversation

Summer 1958?

 

 

 

 

 

… this “Invitation to Learning” /?/ how these fellows magnified the dramatic power of Corneille in his tragic drama,

which was tremendously popular with the populace — and still is — in which the heroine faces a tragic dilemma. She must marry either the man who killed her lover or the man who killed her father, by command of the king which cannot be disobeyed. The situation arose out of the then-prevailing medieval sense of honor, which must be vindicated at all costs by the shedding of blood.

The three panelists made wry faces at the kind of honor that was involved, but greatly deplored the absence of any high standards and compelling values of any kind in the present time. They deplored the false standards of the past, but yearned for standards now. But without any least suggestion, even, as to what ideal values and standards might be adopted by us.

 

These panelists are all or mainly modern schoolmen, and their negativistic attitude is characteristic. This is certainly due to professionalism — the bane of education as of all other fine arts. Public education places vast funds at the disposal of a bureaucratic hierarchy. These are the goal of professionalism. A true educator never fails to inculcate ideals of a high order. They are found here and there and are the saving remnant in the whole political system.  These authentic teachers will teach — positively and creatively — whether paid or not, so far as in them lies. Until they become general and dominating the scene, we cannot expect high values and ideals held up to the young. True education is like a plant that never wholly perishes amid ashes and desert sands. When a public authority truly serves public needs, it will seek to create…

 

 

                               /Edited version of the above:/

 

The panelists (“Invitation to Learning”) greatly deplored the absence of high standards and compelling values of any kind in the resent time. They deplored the false standards of the past, but yearned for standards now. But without any least suggestion, even, as to what ideal values and standards might be adopted.

 

These panelists are all or mainly modern schoolmen, and their negativistic attitude is certainly due to professionalism — the bane of education as of all other fine arts. Public education places vast funds at the disposal of a bureaucratic hierarchy. These are the goal of professionalism. A true educator never fails to inculcate ideals of a high order. They are found here and there and are the saving remnant in the whole political system. These authentic teachers will teach — positively and creatively — whether paid or not, so far as in them lies. Until they become general and dominating the scene, we cannot expect high values and ideals held up to the young. True education is like a plant that never wholly perishes amid ashes and desert sands. When a public authority truly serves public needs, it will seek to create /authentic educational opportunities of every kind./