The alleged involvement of medical doctors and , maybe, other people involved in medicine in the recent terrorist plots in the UK raises an interesting point. Has the study of medicine become so pressurized and so technical that young doctors have no time to get a true education that opens the mind , allows them to think broadly and connect the dots?
Some time ago a very intelligent young doctor said to me, “When I go to a dinner party I feel embarrassed. I can’t join in discussions on art or literature or politics or current affairs. Since I was17 years old I have been totally focused on medicine and know next to nothing else. I have an impressive degree from a world-class university, but I feel uneducated.” What wonderful and refreshing honesty! But it speaks for itself.
Epicureans should take on board the fact that education is not synonymous with technical knowledge and skill.
Too often we hear people say, “You can’t earn a living studying that”, “that” being, for instance a degree in History.
An educated person has had his or her mind prepared to be able to learn a practical skill. I strongly object to the modern craze for young people to major in Business Studies for a BA degree. This subject does not educate you or teach you to think. It is a practical skill, best learned, in my opinion, on the job. Speaking as a graduate of a major business school, I also happen to think that business schools are on balance, a menace . But that has nothing to do with education.