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things are in a constant
state of flux," asserted the
ancient Roman philoso–
pher Heraclitus in 500 B.C. Mod–
ero man, reeling under the impact
of "future shock"-that dizzying
rate of change that disorients and
disturbs-probably would agree.
How to cope? Can education help
us keep our heads on straight amid
tbe welter of new knowledge and
exploding events?
H can. Whether at work or at
leisure, lifetime Jearning provides
a solid foundation on which we
can build our future happiness.
Leaming can liberate us from the
flux of "future shock" and restore
our capacity for self-renewal.
Daniel Bell, professor of sociol–
ogy at Harvard University, points
out the primacy of knowledge in
that brave new world beyond the
constantly shifting horizon.
In his book
The
Coming
of
Post–
fndustrial Society,
Bell claims that
tomorrow's world wilJ be orga–
nized around knowledge for the
purpose of social control and tbe
directing of innovation and
change. "The post-industrial so–
ciety is a knowledge society in a
double sense: first, the sources of
innovation are increasingly deriva–
tive from research and devel–
opment . . . second, the weight of
society . . . is increasingly in the
knowledge field ."
What is so distinctive about the
post-industrial society, says Bell, is
the change in the character of
knowledge itself. "The growth of
technical requirements and profes–
sional skills makes education and
access to higher education the con–
dition of entry into the post-indus–
trial society. . . . In the next few
decades we shall see sorne striking
changes in the structure of occupa-
The
PLAIN TRUTH June/July 1978
tions and professional work....
Technical skill becomes a condi–
tion of operative power, and
higher education the means of ob–
taining technical skill."
But education is more than an
"open sesame" to the good life
promised by post-industrial know–
how. Education landscapes the
house of intellect, making it more
habitable, more humane. "Educa–
tion is the 'reworking' ofthe materi–
als of the past without ever wholly
surrendering its truths or bending to
its pieties. It is a continuous tension.
the tension between past and future,
mind and sensibility, tradition and
experience, which for all its strains
Education, moreover,
has more than utili–
tarian value. Like
music,
it
has charms
that soothe away loneli–
ness and boredom.
and discomforts,
is
the only source
for maintaining the independence
of inquiry itself," writes Professor
Bell.
Education, moreover, has more
than utilitarian value. Like music,
it has charms that soothe away
loneliness and boredom. Since
each of us has to live his or her life
individually, doesn' t it make sense
to become our own best friend- an
informed, reasoning and inter–
esting companion? Lifelong learn–
ing, which need not be restricted to
formal studies, can keep our per–
ceptions sharp and our thinking
clear. With our mental batteries
constantly charged we can con–
front post-industrial uncertainty
with confidence.
Continuing ed ucat ioo gives
modern roan a margin in tomor–
row's world. It's an asset he can
capitalize on to upgrade old skills
and learn new ones. He needs it to
stay on top as job requirements
change and new careers emerge.
Whether in work or in play, the
balance wheel of learning provides
the continued equilibrium needed
to survive in the post-industrial
society.
At every turn in life's roads, the
need for education arises. Our
progress at work and our pleasure
while at leisure both depend on
our openness to ncw experiences.
No one pursues learning without
widening horizons and enhancing
bis chances for success. Mental
stagnation will never set in as long
as we keep the lamp of learning
brightly burning in the house of
intellect.
The benefits of education in–
elude the development of ideals;
sensitivity to ethical values; the ac–
quisi tion of knowledge, skills and
insights; the experience of adven–
ture; and a feel for beauty. Life–
long leaming also strikes the spark
of enthusiasm and ignites the ex–
citement of discovery. André Gide,
the French novelist and Nobel
prizewinner for literature, was
right: "The wise man ís be who
constantly wonders afresh."
The post-industrial society can
be a golden gate to happiness ifwe
make lifelong learning our con–
stant companion. The Latín phi–
losopher Seneca offers us an
antidote for "future shock." That
noble Roman who tutored Nero
once wrote: "As long as you live,
keep learning how to tive."
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