While reading this article, I thought of my own life, and the
parallels to Wittgenstein's. I too, left a career to pursue one where
the job prospects were limited. I knew this, but I wanted to pursue
this career regardless. My friends and family questioned my sanity as
a result. However, I would never harm
anyone.
What stood out for me, was the
statment “Ethics,
religion, the nature of the world beyond objects … most statements
of traditional philosophy, Wittgenstein contended, are therefore
nonsense.” I
would argue against this. It is indeed difficult to conceptualize the
world beyond objects, but it does not make them meaningless – they
are just as important, if not more important, than what we can
actually see. I can understand why Wittgenstein would come to such a
conclusion – ethics and religion has been used to justify wars for
centuries, a nonsensical approach to humanity.
Another
line that stood out, was “In
working with poor children, he wanted to transform himself, and them.
About
8 years ago, I was sitting in my doctor's office waiting room.
Another patient, probably in her early- to mid-twenties, turned to
her mother and said “I hope I don't get a job in a ghetto school. I
don't want to have to deal with that shit.” This statement I
overheard, was one of the many reasons why I wanted to pursue a field
in education. This sentiment was echoed by many colleagues in the
B.Ed. program. If so many educators do not want to work with those
with the most need, those who are put in such a position will not
enjoy it, and have a preconception and prejudice of the students they
are to teach. Teaching is not meant to be easy – it is a struggle,
one where the rewards at the end justify the struggles endured.
-Ragu
References:
Robins, S. (2015, March 5). Wittgenstein, schoolteacher. The Paris
Review. Retrieved from
http://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2015/03/05/wittgenstein-schoolteacher/
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