One principle link between the Genius Reserve and American philosophy is the emphasis that each places on the use and importance of naturalism. For much of America’s history American’s have had to live in balance with nature because it has represented the principle natural resource of the country. Therefore, the United States has become a very scientifically driven country because it has needed to use intellectual property as a means of better using the land and creating wealth. Philosophical naturalism is the idea that the best way for examining reality is through the scientific method. The Genius reserve represents these ideas because it is an experiment of studying philosophy and it is actively using science to find a balance with nature by restoring the land.
Hamilton Holt and Peace
One of the principle ideas that Hamilton Holt expressed throughout his life was an emphasis on peace. American Philosophy also places an emphasis on peace because of its pragmatic way of looking at democracy. In a way the democratic ideals of this country’s history have been expressed directly through to its philosophy. Philosophically one branch of American foreign policy, Wilsonianism, has reflected these ideals in its attempts to make the world a better place through peace first and war only as a way to enforce peace. This philosophical idea of foreign policy practiced by all Democratic presidents since Woodrow Wilson and Republican president Richard Nixon is exactly the ideas that Hamilton Holt would have appreciated. Holt was a staunch defender of this idea as he showed in his defense of the League of Nations and Wilson himself. Holt’s ideals of peace were then exemplified in the College’s educational emphasis as well the erection of a peace monument.
Holt’s educational practices
Hamilton Holt had many extremely influential ideas on education. He held the belief that students should major in what they enjoyed and minor in the areas they struggled in. He also felt that it was more important for a student or a teacher to be self reliant and original then have an unlimited command of the text book. However, his most prominent idea, and the one that warrants the greatest discussion in the practice of educational philosophy was his idea that the lecture system of education was broken. Holt believed that methods like the lecture or quiz and recite were inherently flawed because they failed to stimulate the student’s brain and produce critical thinking. Instead Holt favored having one on one teacher student discussions where they bounced ideas off of each other. This system of education warrants discussion because many colleges including, Rollins to some extent, have returned to the lecture based philosophy. Certainly, Rollins could claim to be “better” than most, but by enacting policies like the Honor code, we are actually discouraging the bouncing of ideas off of each other. Furthermore, many classes at this and other universities still have many classes where the students come, listen to a lecture, and then do busy work. Lecture based education is inherently flawed because each individual learns in different styles. The lecture system only benefits students who are audio or in some cases visual learners and leaves out many other types of students. This area is of the foremost concern in American educational philosophy because American students are slowly falling behind compared with other countries which could lead to dire consequences in the long term.
Works Cited: "Prexy with a Prescription." Time 13 June 1949 27 Jan 2008
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