6: Wittgenstein: theory and practices

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/