Wollstonecraft's Pep-Talk // Moriah Nelson

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I loved how Mary Wollstonecraft dove deeper into enlightened thought when she began discussing national education. Wollstonecraft writes, “A child very soon contracts a benumbing indolence of mind…when he only asks a question instead of seeking for information, and then relies implicitly on the answer he receives.” (163) Speaking of a child that is basically sheltered, she also states, “he will never acquire that frank ingenuousness of behavior, which young people can only attain by being frequently in society where they dare to speak what they think; neither afraid of being reproved for their presumption, nor laughed at for their folly.” (164) I think Wollstonecraft was ahead of her time in this thinking as she could see how education would be beneficial and many of the educational strategies she describes have been implanted by many schools today. In all honesty, how often do I ask a question and settle for the answer simply because I don’t to have to fact-check, etc.? As students, we need to be sure that what we are told or taught lines up with known truth, history, and facts. Likewise, I don’t know if I realize the gift of the freedom of speech that we have in society-I definitely take it for granted. Do I dare to speak what I think? Am I afraid of being reproved for my presumption? Am I afraid of being laughed at for my folly? I really have nothing to fear but I do let fear keep me from speaking truth or stating my thoughts because I’m worried, they won’t make sense or are incorrect. If I’m willing to be wrong, then I don’t have to fear correction for it can be used to grow me intellectually and personally. If I presume something to be true, even if it’s wrong, I can at least be confident as I am open to correction, allowing me to freely to states my beliefs. I think Mary Wollstonecraft just gave me a mini pep-talk on not having a fear of being too outspoken.
Do you see Wollstonecraft’s perspective on enlightened thinking to be able to be applied to today’s education and society?
Commented on AnnaKate and Rachael's posts.

Comments

AnnaKate Burleson said…
If there's one thing Wollstonecraft wasn't, it would be fearful. Her words are always bold and it's so incredibly inspiring to me, as well. Her perspective on education was also one that I found to be really insightful and revolutionary, and the way you explained it was really effective!
October 28, 2019 at 2:13 PM
Joshua Evers said…
Her approach to education was very serious. I think about many things I was taught in Sunday School as a kid. I was embarrassed to find that many things I was taught about God and Theology fell short when I read Scripture for myself, like many of the Old Testament accounts. Little did I know that this actually affected my view of God and understanding of His Word as I assumed I knew it well enough that I didn't need to revisit it. Our assurance of our knowledge is important and we should constantly check incoming information. Great Post!!
October 28, 2019 at 6:10 PM
Madison Flowers said…
Wollstonecraft's opinions on education are spot on. She understood the importance of being able to back what you know and believe. I love how you explained the importance of fact checking. This can also be applied in the church setting as well. We must always be sure that the things we are taught in church are biblically sound and reliable. So many people take for granted the fact that we have the ability to read the bible for ourselves but we should always be thankful for that blessing and take full advantage of it.
October 28, 2019 at 8:29 PM
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