Knowledge and experience
Centre d'Estudis Jordi Pujol (CEJP)
Editorial / January 29, 2008
We often speak of excellence in learning, of the culture of effort, of the impetus of youth, of how valuable an asset an outstanding result is in the studies of those who seek to accomplish their objectives. This is essential. Outstanding results are, without a doubt, great assets, or better said, a worthy starting point towards the challenges that young people will face later on, as much in their chosen profession as in their personal lives. Training, commitment, competition, effort and determination are key. But perhaps they are not everything. Let us analyse it.
The philosopher José Antonio Marina, a leading authority on the projection and analysis of the system of values that need defending, and that we defend from the Centre d’Estudis Jordi Pujol, regards practical intelligence, that which helps us and enlightens us in questions raised in all fields, far above theoretical intelligence, which helps us solve mathematic, chemistry or science problems. And the point is, irrespective of how complex they might appear, these problems can become relatively simple. On the other hand, when we talk about putting into practice strategies frequently related to theoretical approaches, we may be limited in ideas, lacking in the experience that, many times, is fundamental to the development of practical intelligence.
J. A. Marina offers a graphic example of this in that although a young person can win the Nobel Prize for Physics at the age of twenty-five, he or she would encounter difficulties to be a good practitioner, which is a good way to describe the lack of practical intelligence at this age. Knowledge is independent of age, but experience in practice brings a true measure of effectiveness to such knowledge. Experience is acquired over time, and throughout this period the main purpose is the acquisition of tools that will place knowledge in its true dimension.
For a long time the prevailing thought in these parts has been what the French philosopher and former minister Luc Ferry coined –in a recent appearance at the CEJP– “the four great illusions”. These illusions, or mirages, – everything can be invented, nothing is transmitted; play can replace work; motivation is a greater value than work; and youth is a stroke of genius whereas old age is a catastrophe– have been the inspiration of erroneous polices. And to persevere such notions will lead us nowhere else than towards the personal and collective impoverishment of future generations. We cannot let either of them form part, as is currently the case, of a world in constant flux with ever more stringent demands.
