"Why Don't They Teach Logic?"

This is an excerpt from a wonderful article by Andree Seu (I always go straight back to her articles when I get my World Magazine!) entitled, "Logic! Why Don't They Teach Logic? SAT's new essay requirement is more about fashion than thought."
You may recognize that as a quote from The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, by CS Lewis. This year we began a logic book with Courtney, and we just finished our chapter for the day. With that in mind, I found this article to be funny and encouraging. I am only going to quote a little of it.


(Andree Seu is writing about her part time job grading high school essays this summer)...
"...one cannot be too self-righteous toward an SAT prep school when one realizes it is devoted to ways of beating the system rather than to teaching good writing... [but] All of this will have to be deprogrammed in college or journalism school...
Here are two typical samples in answer to the topic question, 'Do people achieve more by cooperation than competition?'
Sample 1: 'People should always cooperate to get what they want. In American history, America became independent due to its cooperation with the French. In A Separate Peace by John Knowles, the main characters Gene and Finny exemplify the dark side of competition. Thus, cooperation should be preferred over competition...'
Sample 2: 'I agree that people can achieve more by cooperation rather than competition. From the democracy formed by kids in Lord of the Flies to the sailor Edmund Dantes in the Count of Monte Cristo, people achieve more through cooperation..."

'Logic!' said the Professor, half to himself. 'Why don't they teach logic at these schools?'
Answer to the professor: The College Board will spend about one minute on each essay, so other qualities of writing are more imperative - notably length."

That article reminded me of why we are doing some of the things we are doing. We are of the strong belief that Christians ought to be thinking people! THUS, we are committed to teaching our children to think with discernment. That takes a lot of time, because you have to have a lot of conversations!

Just today, as we were discussing Enlightenment ideas and humanism in the world in our history class, it became apparent where their problem began. As soon as we lay our "sword" down, the enemy comes in! The Enlightenment thinkers were vocal and brilliant, and there weren't enough knowledgeable, wise, thinking people in the Church to put up much of a fight against them. Slowly, these "empty philosophies" filtered into the Church herself. "If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything." That is so sad. I want my children to be able to spot heresy when they hear it, even if it's dressed in sheep's clothing, so to speak.

Courtney's Logic chapter for today made some good points: 1. an inquiring mind is helpful to gain wisdom, 2. to have an inquiring mind, you must listen well to different viewpoints, 3. you have to listen with discernment, and 4. that discernment comes from knowing the Truth. I encourage the kids to look at things from different perspectives, but ultimately, we judge not according to our opinions, or the opinions of others, but according to the Word of God.
The Bible isn't there to prove OUR point, rather, it is there to judge the "thoughts and intents" of our hearts, the thoughts and intents behind our opinions. A humble person stands in front of that mirror willingly, open to changing his view to fit revealed truth.

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One IS understanding." Prov. 9:10
"The simple believes every word, but the prudent considers well..." Prov. 14:15
"The heart of the righteous studies how to answer." Prov. 15:26
"The wise in heart will be called prudent... the heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds learning to his lips." Prov. 16:21,23
"The preparation of the heart belongs toman, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord." Prov. 16:1
"always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you..." I Peter 3:15