Are Academics the Key to Success?

On academic freedom: Academics give birth to academics

Academics are the key to academic success. Academic freedom is critical for an academic to be successful, in any academic field. Academics give birth to academics, but also help give birth to success, in other areas.

What is an academic?

"Personally, I don't know everything about anything in particular, much less everything about everything in general, but I do have an open mind and a desire to learn."

This is the thinking of one academic. 

Perhaps other academics think differently and rightly so, as we have freedom of thought, as one of our basic human rights. It is a privilege and should be regarded, as such.

In the year 1588, the word academe was used to refer to a place of instruction or a school of higher learning. (1)

The word academic was used to signify a person who attended such a school.

The option of attaining academic education was there, although the majority of people were not aware of it, at that time. Most people were taught by their parents or other members in their communities. What the majority of people were taught was basic skills necessary for survival. Few people attained a high level of academic education.

There were many who did know and understand that they could and should be educated further, but they chose other pathways for various, personal reasons. Some argued a lack of opportunity or fear of education. Parental advice to the contrary, lack of ability or the reality that they perceived other, more preferable options were reasons not to pursue higher education. Many times, these reasons were legitimate, as life was not easy.

Of course, not everyone had an open mind with respect to academic education, either. Many were not willing to accept any kind of teaching from a school or any other place of instruction, much less from a specific individual, particularly from an academic. Often the academics were teachers of religion. Many people were superstitious and feared religion, as well as education of any kind.

A number of those who could have become academics were not willing to make the sacrifice of their time or make a serious effort to attend a school of higher learning. Many others were not able to attend school because of extreme poverty or other financial concerns. Sometimes, if it was recognized that a child was exceptionally intelligent, the child was mentored by an academic.

But many did not know, understand or accept the value of academic studies, an academic environment or an academic life. Many people were extremely fearful of academics, academic institutions and academic education in general.

Some young people were not allowed to attend any schools of higher learning  and were forced to follow in their parents footsteps, in spite the fact that they were intelligent enough to pursue academic pathways. They were expected to support their parents or to carry on family values, traditions and businesses.

Tragically, the same holds true in our era.

Higher learning still holds a high value for some, but not for others and it is certainly not everyone's personal preference. Few people seek higher academic education, although the number of academics appears to be increasing, all of the time. Weighed against the total population of the world, there are still only a small percentage of academics.

In our era, we are exceptionally blessed with the reality that we have academic freedom.

In other words, if a person's chooses to do so, he or she can pursue higher learning or more advanced education regardless of race, creed or color. A person who seeks higher education may have to use his or her ingenuity to figure out a way to do so.

It is not an easy road for anyone to pursue, as many academics will confess. It is hard work and entails years and years of studying. It is costly. Few people are born with a golden spoon in their mouth, although there are a few.

Academics are still subjected to fear and severe criticism from the majority of people. Even writers and poets are confronted with the reality that they are learned people, but remain inexperienced in practical matters. The majority of people are learned in practical matters, but the academic issues are left for the academics.

Are academics the key to success? Academics are the key to academic success. Academic freedom is critical for an academic to be successful, in any academic field. Academics give birth to academics, but also to success in other areas.

(1) Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Inc., Springfield, MA
1983