The Definitive Answer to the Question “Why Do I Need to Know This?”

 The Definitive Answer to the Question

“Why Do I Need to Know This?”

By Mr. Barnes

         In schools all over the United States, many students will ask the question “why do I need to know this?” They often question while studying why they need to know this particular subject. If students are learning about algebra, Shakespeare, the periodic table, The War of 1812, or a host of other subjects there can be frustration. If a student wants to work in an occupation that does not require a lot of math, for example, they may be frustrated that they are forced to study math. Often, they ask “when am I ever going to use this”? It is a valid question, so I want to answer that question in the most precise and clear way. There is a very good and substantial reason why our public education teaches the subjects of classical education.

         To answer the question, we have to go back in time, back to the time before America existed as a nation and American public education existed. In medieval Europe. During that time in history, people learned only what they needed. Individuals would learn a single trade, usually, the trade of their father. They were expected to apprentice in the family and they learned to do that job. The only individuals who would be able to move outside of the family trade were children of the wealthy, who were able to obtain an education. Tuition was expensive, and the children of lower-class families needed to work to support the family. Only the rich and wealthy could afford to have their children be educated. This allowed the rich to stay rich and provided the poor with limited opportunities to move up. Those who were not wealthy did not have much opportunity. Outside of their training and trade, they learned very little else in terms of education. Many people could not read or write, they didn’t know anything about history, math, science, philosophy, or any other subject not related to their job. This wasn’t by their choice, however. The rulers and leaders enjoyed this arrangement and wanted to keep the lower class uneducated. An uneducated person is a person that is easy to dictate and control. The monarchy and aristocracy enjoyed having an uneducated servant class of people to control. They did not want the people to be empowered, this may cause them to revolt.

         Fast forward to the foundation of America. In the United States, it decided there would be no king or dictator. We do not have a class of people who have noble titles and positions, who are able to rule over others because of their family position. The people would have the ability to choose a leader through an election process. For this to work, those individuals would have to have some classical education. We the people would need to have a working knowledge beyond just a simple trade. The reason is, if people fell back into the position of not knowing or understanding what was happening at the upper levels of government, they could be manipulated, controlled, and exploited by those individuals in the upper level of government. The purpose of public education was to make “good citizens” that would be educated and informed enough to make the decisions at the ballot box. The alternative is the threat of the rising of a tyrant to become dictator of our country. An educated populace is a mechanism against tyranny.

         A classical education, including reading, writing, science, history, and math, creates a foundation for each individual in our country to grow in knowledge and education. No one in the United States should be forced into one job or trade. No one in our country is required to simply learn the job of their family and have no opportunity to better themselves. No person in this country should grow up without the opportunity to become an elected leader. This is the foundation and fabric of our country.

         Why do you have to learn stuff you may never use in a job? The purpose of public education is not for you to get a job and make money. That is the additional benefit, but it is not the main purpose. The purpose of public education is to keep our country from becoming another monarchy or dictatorship through the empowerment of the population through knowledge. Education is the mechanism that keeps us free. Every group that wants to put another group into bondage or servitude removes their opportunity for education. A population that is not educated is often unable to see or understand what is happening beyond their immediate circumstances. Public education is the measure of protection that keeps our democratic republic alive.

         A classic education creates in every citizen of our republic the opportunity to learn, know, grow, and have the opportunity to have social and economic mobility. Every citizen is given the opportunity to have an education that will provide learning and knowledge beyond just one occupation. In this country, we provide education for all, not just for the wealthy and powerful. This understanding provides the foundation for the leadership each member of a democratic republic possesses. Each of our citizens has the responsibility to vote and be involved in the operation of our republic. Having a classic education including subjects you may never use in a career gives each individual a better understanding of the world, politics, society, and economic affairs. When our elected officials talk about ethics, rights, economic policy, environmental issues, civil rights issues, and international affairs, it is necessary to have a comprehensive education.