Introduction
This paper contains an analysis of the arguments made in the book “New Worlds, Ancient Texts: The Power of Tradition and the Shock of Discovery” that was authored by Anthony Grafton. The book mainly discusses the contention that existed in the years between the 13th and 16th century as various scholars living at the time debated on whether to replace the traditional system of education that was been used then to a modern one. Before the onset of the 13th century, most educators and lecturers used old books of history to teach students who had enrolled in the different universities and learning institutions that existed before the 13th century.
However, in the 13th century, a modern group of scholars emerged with new educational concepts and ideas that seemed to contradict the theories and facts that had been proposed by traditional educationists. Grafton’s book seems to conclude that the modern system of education that was formulated by modern educationists was better than the old system of education. This paper attempts show to the weaknesses that existed in the old system of acquiring knowledge.
One reason that could be used to explain why the modern system of education is better than the old system of education is the fact that the old system of education did not inculcate a custom of innovation on its students. The notion that the old system of education did not inculcate a custom of innovation in its students is supported by the fact that old fashioned educationists only taught and lectured students on what previous scholars had written in books. Old educationists did not equip their students with skills that would help question and improve the facts and world phenomena that existed during their time. The old education system instead majorly focused on just teaching students on what other scholars had discovered or concluded concerning the world phenomena and made students accept and be contented to what the explanations that old educationists had given concerning world phenomena.
The modern system of education is better than the old system of education in that the system emphasizes the notion that students and scholars need to think critically and creatively at all times. Students are taught by the modern system of knowledge to question why things appear in a certain way so as to be able to gain a better understanding of why certain phenomena in the world appear in a certain manner. The modern system of education equips students with skills that motivate them to seek methods on how they can improve the situation around them as opposed to the old system of knowledge that only taught students to accept the explanations of past scholars concerning world phenomena.
The modern system of knowledge is also better than the old system of knowledge because the modern system initiated efforts to evaluate the validity and quality of the books that were used to teach students. Modern scholars raised questions why some books written by old scholars did not explain some important aspects of people’s life e.g. the origin of Native American people. A critical evaluation by modern scholars of books written by old scholars also led to the discovery of forged books. It was as a result of the discovery of old books that were used by old scholars that more people began to pay more attention to the validity of the information contained in books used to teach students so as to guard against misleading or teaching students wrong things.
The use of both practical and academic methods of acquiring education and knowledge was also brought about by modern scholars. Many old scholars supported the acquisition of knowledge through practical means e.g. Grafton’s book talks about Columbus who was an old fashioned scholar who believed and followed the old religious beliefs very obediently. Therefore, Columbus went on a worldwide crusade to satisfy the old system religious beliefs. As Columbus made his voyage throughout the world, he wrote down the observations and conclusions he made from visiting certain places. Columbus’s method of acquiring knowledge was, therefore, practical since he acquired knowledge through touring the world and making observations. However, both the old scholars who supported practical acquisition of knowledge and the new scholars who supported academic knowledge agreed on most of Columbus’s observations and conclusions. Modern scholars, therefore, realized that practically acquired knowledge could also supplement academically acquired knowledge. From then on, modern scholars began to support the notion that students need to learn from both practical and academic sources of information.
It can also be noted that the modern system of education is better than the old system of education since it led to the merge of both ancient and modern sources of knowledge. Two modern scholars named Carpenicus and Vesalius initiated efforts to improve old scientific theories so as to improve their abilities to explain different phenomena existing in the world. It is as a result of Carpenicus and Vesalius that other modern scholars began to put efforts to improve old scientific theories rather than relying on the old ones hence leading to the formulation of better theories by modern scholars.
The emergence of a modern system of education also led to the establishment of better systems of governance and authority as compared to those that existed in the era of the old system of knowledge. Modern scholars initiated efforts to criticize why some old systems of governance and authority that were proposed by old systems laws e.g. Biblical laws were being misinterpreted and used to infringe people’s rights. The emergence of a modern system of education gave modern scholars the knowledge and skills to come up with better laws and systems of governance that were to be followed so as to uphold people’s rights.
The modern system of education also played a great role in getting rid of some old and primitive norms that were being followed by people who were following the old system of education. For example, one modern scholar known as Bartolomore Las Casas started efforts aimed at changing people’s belief that Indian people were barbaric. Bartolomore Las Casas, instead, encouraged people to stop viewing Indians as barbarians and, instead, start viewing them as normal human beings who deserved to be treated with respect. Bartolomore’s contribution towards better treatment of Indians is a good example of how modern education helped to stop some of the primitive practices that were being practiced in the years between the 13th and 16th century.
Efforts to make new discoveries in a wide variety of fields were also initiated by the modern system of education. It was under the era of the modern system of education that many new discoveries were made in fields such as medicine and technology. One prominent scholar of the modern education system known as Bacon played a very important role in encouraging scholars who still practiced the old system of knowledge to convert into the new system of education so as to increase the probability of making more new discoveries. As a result of Bacon’s efforts, the number of modern scholars increased. The increase in the number of modern scholars played a very crucial role in the development of better ideas and concepts that supported innovations and discoveries. It can, therefore, be argued that the modern system of education has played a very crucial role in developing the ease and efficiency through which people did their activities.
Conclusion
Grafton’s book “New Worlds, Ancient Texts: The Power of Tradition and the Shock of Discovery” can, therefore, be said to give several illustrations of how the modern system of education is much better than the old system of education. It is evident from Grafton’s book that some ideas of the old system of education could be borrowed to come up with more ideas of that will assist in making new discoveries and innovations. However, Grafton’s book can be said to offer more support on efforts that will encourage educators and students to adopt modern system of education, as opposed to the old system of education.
In my opinion, the notion proposed by Grafton’s book that the modern system of education will equip students with better skills and improve the quality of education is correct. It is inevitable that once students acquire a better level of knowledge and skills they will be able to come up with more discoveries and innovations that will improve the quality of people’s lives and, therefore, the modern system of education should be adopted.
Works Cited
Grafton, Anthony, April Shelford and Nancy G. Siraisi. New Worlds, Ancient Texts: The Power of Tradition and the Shock of Discovery. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1995.
