Is there an direct relationship between education and humillity?

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   hubby7posted 14 years ago

   Socrates, the wisest man in all Athens, was known to go around town claiming:"I know nothing". Question: As your educational attainment goes up, do you find yourself becoming more arrogant or more humble?
   
   I myself have found that the more knowledge I attained, the more humble I became. I just came to the realization that I knew far less than I thought I knew. Also, I given the limitless amount of knowledge that can be attained, my present level of knowledge barely stratches the surface. So for me, there is indeed an direct relationship between education and humility. As my education goes up, my humility rises as well.

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      alekhouseposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I tend to agree with Uninvited writer when she said "...the more your learn the more you understand how little you really know." I think a person can be arrogant, which is the opposite of humble, whether or not they are educated.
      
      I also think it would be easier to answer the question if we knew how you were defining the word "education". Do you mean formal education or the learning that takes place with life's  experiences or with maturity, etc.? It does make a difference.

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   Joelle Burnetteposted 14 years ago

   I have a Master's from Stanford and you can bet I am humble about how much I know. The first day we all sat in a room waiting for the director of the program. We were all quiet until everyone sighed from relief when the program director started by saying, "Yes. You are all supposed to be here." So, I guess I wan't the only one who thought, maybe they made a mistake.
   
   Never think you know as much as you think you do.
   
   Or, have children and you'll suddenly realize there are too many things you don't know.

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      hubby7posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I concur. The only problem is when you are unaware that you don't actually know what you think you know.

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   Lisa HWposted 14 years ago

   I tend to think humility comes with intelligence (which is separate from education level) maturity, and being generally emotionally well adjusted.  Teen brains aren't finished maturing.  Once people get in their early or mid twenties their brains mature (coincidentally, just about the time people are finishing up college and often graduate programs).  Teen brains process things and interpret things differently. 
   
   People who aren't "too swift" when it comes understanding human beings and human nature tend to be the ones who don't know enough about humility.  In fact, when it comes to adults,  one sign of being "off" mentally is having far more confidence than one should realistically have.

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      hubby7posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I agree with you, Lisa. I was using "educational level" and "intelligence" to mean the same thing. The former term was not mean to refer to an outward expression of knowledge achievement through degrees or how long one spent in an educational institution. It was actually referring to the internal process of what goes on inside your brain as you become more knowledgeable, hence, more educated.

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         rebekahELLEposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         I don't believe intelligence equals educational level. I've met a number of people with PHD's who certainly lacked in humility and intelligence, basic etiquette and social skills.
         
         I do think the more I have learned, the more I am amazed and humbled by the extraordinary resources nature provides for us each day, or the intelligence that comes from a child. Quite fascinating~ even within us, there is no end, like an eternal fountain~

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   Uninvited Writerposted 14 years ago

   I find that the more your learn the more you understand how little you really know...

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      hubby7posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      My very thoughts indeed! Realizing that, Uninvited, you fall humbly before the Tree of Knowledge.

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   jonmarshposted 14 years ago

   My experience has been that MDs and PhDs tend to be rather arrogant - the opposite of humble.

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      hubby7posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      The holding of the title of PhD or MD has made some a bit stuffy. It has caused some to thumb their noses of others of lesser attainment. It's a status thing. And yes, you are right, jonmarsh, some MDs and PhDs are arrogant. Thanks.

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   forlanposted 14 years ago

   Absoultely not. I have seen so many professors are arrogans

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