In defense of the core

What is core knowledge? Is there a core? Who decides what that core is, and what content should be included/excluded from it?

This is difficult to answer, and impossible to find agreement on. I will not even try to make everyone happy, and won’t get into the details about specific content. My focus in this essay is to lay out the primary goals for each of the 4 core subjects, mathematics, literacy, science, history/social studies, and to try to defend why they hold value for all people, regardless of their aims in life.

(Having said that, it is my firmly held belief that individuals should have the final say whether or not to engage with them. The incentives we create to encourage them are important, but saying “you must engage with these ideas for X amount of time” is a lazy way to do it. I’ll save the details of this for another essay.)

For now, let’s see if I can convince you of their inherent value.

In defense of mathematics:

Through mathematics, we can better understand the way the world actually works. We can see that the world around us works upon certain principles, and we can leverage those principles to gain a greater command over it.

Numbers and mathematics are an essential aspect of conceptualizing the principles under which the world operates.

But is it useful if I’m not going to be a mathematician? Yes! The world is a scary place when you can’t predict what is going to happen next. Mathematics can give us a window into understanding the physical world, how it works, and how to manipulate its principles for benefit mankind.

Consider the field of architecture. The grandeur of Pyramids of Giza, the perfection of the Greek Parthenon, and the blend of beauty and functionality found in the Roman aqueducts were not mere acts of construction. They required a deep understanding of mathematics, particularly in geometry and measurement. Here, mathematical abstractions were weilded into the physical world, manifesting into timeless beauty and monumental achievements that not only shaped ancient civilizations but continue to resonate and inspire us today.

Want to see some object and know WHY it does what it does? Want to know how to fix it, change it, make it do what you WANT it to do? Learn some math, and gain control over the physical world.

In defense of literacy:

Through literacy we can learn from a long tradition of great minds from our past, and better communicate with the present and future.

Reading unlocks the door to learn about all the accumulated knowledge throughout history. It is required to learn about all other subjects.

We can even better understand ourselves. The thoughts we can hold in our memory are severely lacking. By writing down our thoughts, we can more thoroughly understand them, evaluate, engage, challenge, explore, and iterate on them in ways that are impossible without the written word.

“Nothing so sharpens the thought process as writing down one’s arguments. Weaknesses overlooked in oral discussion become painfully obvious on the written page.” — Hyman G. Rickover, “Father of the Nuclear Navy”

Is it useful though if you’re not going to be a writer? Yes. Everyone needs to read and write, because it’s required to interact with other people. Even if you work as an independent carpenter, spending most of your life in your workshop alone with the explicit intent of interacting with the world as little as possible, you’ll still need to read and write. You’ll need to write out material lists and work with suppliers. You’ll likely want to improve your craft by reading, speaking, and collaborating with other craftsman. You’ll need to be able to communicate with clients, negotiate contracts, create invoices, and even write little thank you notes to those who treasure your work. All the while, you’ll be silently judged by others when they hear you speak and when they read your notes, and their judgements will have an effect on your bottom line and on the opportunities you find in your life.

Lacking this fundamental skill will make you heavily dependent on other people for your entire life. Want to be the master of your own life? Learn to read and write and take control over your life.

In defense of history:

Through history we can better understand the human beings around us. What are humans? What have we done in an effort to grow and improve. What worked? What was catastrophic? Where did we succeed and where did we fail?

History is required to understand the nature of man by understanding what he has done throughout history. What are the enduring traits of man and what are just local variations?

Is it useful though today? Yes! History helps us understand the people around us. It helps understand how governments work, and why we have one. It helps understand the limitations and the need for limitations on that government. And it gives us insights on past causes-effects so that we might actually improve the ways our society collaborates in the future.

Consider the adage, “Never let a good crisis go to waste.” Throughout history, monarchs and leaders have recognized that during moments of crisis, citizens often willingly relinquish authority to their governing bodies. They understandably seek refuge from an imminent threat. Yet, once the storm has passed, it is a rare occurrence for that power to be willingly returned.

Want to better understand how society works for you and how it can work against you? Learn some history, and make the world a better place.

In defense of Science:

And through science we can better understand the natural world around us. Mythology was the way that basic scientific principles were explained in the past. In the absense of a way to understand the world, we create stories. Although incredibly enjoyable, it’s important to realize that they are fictional. Merely another form of entertainment. Not useless. Often inspirational. Often they force us to ask more questions, but we should aim to answer them through scientific inquiry, not through storytelling.

Is it useful though if you don’t want to be a scientist? Yes! The scientific process applies to so much more than science. Take building a business for example. When creating a new business, you use the scientific method. You come up with a question/problem (preferably that many people face). You figure out a way to solve that problem (hypothesis). You create a prototype and send it out to test your hypothesis (experiment). You see how it works and how it doesn’t (observe). Then you reflect on the success or failure (analysis and conclusions). Iterate until you find a solution that works.

Even beyond its usefulness in society, an understanding of science satisfies our innate curiosity about the world around us. Want to always look at the night’s sky and wonder why the moon is constantly “changing?” Want to understand your own body and how to be your best physical self? Or do you just want to survive and thrive in the society you were born into? Learn some science, and you’ll find both a respect for the natural world around you and ways to further our collective knowledge in it.

The core is NOT enough:

Just as the Earth has a core that provides stability, core knowledge serves as the foundation of our education. However, just as the Earth is composed of various layers, each adding richness, complexity, and beauty, our education too is enriched by diverse subjects and experiences that build upon the core. The core contains an amazing amount of hard fought, conceptual knowledge that humans have obtained and passed on over millennia. But Earth would be uninhabitable and lifeless without the diversity of layers that sit atop its core. Yes, a core is important, but we should also acknowledge that the diversity and beauty of humans, just like that of Earth, is found on our rough outer edges.