An intellectual is defined as a person who places a high value on or pursues things of interest to the intellect or the more complex forms and fields of knowledge. This definition of an intellectual has been restricted by an educational system to mean indoctrinate students into what the system believes to be “academic”. Gerald Graff’s essay “Hidden Intellectualism” argues that there is knowledge and intelligence beyond what the traditional education system is practicing. Graff contends that incorporating the interests of students into the lesson will help students think more effectively and logically. “Intellectualism” is seen by how well a student does in traditional subjects. Graff however argues that “Real intellectuals turn any subject...
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He describes his involvement in sports with such passion and insight unlike his traditional schoolwork which can be described as nonexistent. It was not until much later that Graff understood why sports was more compelling than the traditional academic work.The two were actually similar. Both required deep levels of understanding, critical thought, weighting different kinds of evidence and even the ability to debate and creating an argument. When discussing just how similar school and sports to Graff draws the comparison that sports are “more compelling than school because it was more intellectual than school, not less” (Graff 438). Graff was able to connect with sports and critically analyze statistics due to the fact that he had an interest and it taught him communication skills and critical thinking skills that Graff was not able to grasp in class because it did not engage …show more content…
I would instead take it one step further. Cheating. The largest sin a student could commit. This wouldn't just be a one time offense. This was done out the same lack of interest that Graff describes is failing our education system. It was not my lack of knowledge, or my inability to do it. It just did not make sense for me to write something that won't change opinions, minds or do anything to contribute to society. It did not make sense that I should analyze a play that has been analyzed by scholars for years and picked apart by an academic community. There is nothing I could have possibly contributed that would have changed anything so why not grab a masterpiece from the internet and rewrite it? This thinking did not make me a critical thinker or a better writer; it made me a better
He describes his involvement in sports with such passion and insight unlike his traditional schoolwork which can be described as nonexistent. It was not until much later that Graff understood why sports was more compelling than the traditional academic work.The two were actually similar. Both required deep levels of understanding, critical thought, weighting different kinds of evidence and even the ability to debate and creating an argument. When discussing just how similar school and sports to Graff draws the comparison that sports are “more compelling than school because it was more intellectual than school, not less” (Graff 438). Graff was able to connect with sports and critically analyze statistics due to the fact that he had an interest and it taught him communication skills and critical thinking skills that Graff was not able to grasp in class because it did not engage …show more content…
I would instead take it one step further. Cheating. The largest sin a student could commit. This wouldn't just be a one time offense. This was done out the same lack of interest that Graff describes is failing our education system. It was not my lack of knowledge, or my inability to do it. It just did not make sense for me to write something that won't change opinions, minds or do anything to contribute to society. It did not make sense that I should analyze a play that has been analyzed by scholars for years and picked apart by an academic community. There is nothing I could have possibly contributed that would have changed anything so why not grab a masterpiece from the internet and rewrite it? This thinking did not make me a critical thinker or a better writer; it made me a better