Independent minds

GA_googleFillSlot("AllAfrica_Story_InsetD"); The Socratic idea of 'parrhesiastes'--one who speaks the truth freely, despite any risk, out of a sense of moral duty is very important in understanding the place of the educated person in social and political arenas. The educated person is the one who understands and values freedom of thought. According to Socrates, the educated person's life manifests harmony between how they think, what they say and how they live.

The individual cares for the way he lives and seeks to live the best way possible. This also implies a willingness to listen to others and to be changed for the better. The man who thinks he is good enough is certainly not the one to consider educated. Unlike in the past, many learned people today situate themselves within disciplines because their jobs and salaries depend on the evaluation of a few key persons and this dependence affects the issues broached and the language used.

Politics is overflowing with many supposedly educated people whose actions and speeches betray their academic honours. From these considerations, one will notice that there is need for a movement from academic qualifications and skills to personal qualities if one is to be genuinely educated. Something changes about a person when they receive education. It may be seen as a movement from darkness to light, or from a position of lack of understanding to understanding.

But one's port is never terminal. A high school dropout who has learned only the science that this level of education offers to work with their hands in a farm to earn a living and to support his or her siblings, may be better educated than an outstanding university professor who neglects spouse and family in pursuit of research honours. I think Amy Adams has put her high school learning to very good use and is likely to impact the lives of many people. Her filming sojourns are also a part of her continuing education.

The author lectures at Makerere University

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