No one can objet the fact Glenn Gould isn’t only one of the genius pianists but also one of the greatest artists. He mentioned, as the master piece in 20 century, “The Magic Mountain” by Thomas Mann and “The Three-Cornered World” by Soseki Natsume; that original title “Kusa-makura” means “the pillow of grass.” In that work, I was much impressed by the tranquillo atmosphere same as Haiku caused by completely abandoning obsessions, which he considered as the result of relationships. However, about 10 years ago, Ministry of Education in Japan decided a new policy that they would gradually replace his works in official text books, such as “Kokoro,” by pieces written by today’s novelists. As well the works of another great writer Ogai Mori, such as “The Dancing Doll,” has disappeared in text books.Most international students in the US intent to major in business or computer major. Also, broachers of universities focus on achievements of business or computer area. The reason why 20 years old or thereabout boys and girls decide to major in business or computer, of course, is gain a high payment job to survive in the jungle of business. On the other hand, I was thinking major in music or philosophy. In fact, I didn’t have to be worried about it because many universities no longer have philosophy major. At last, I decided to major in music and minor in philosophy or religious study.
Once before, literature department was taking a larger part in colleges, and students used to philosophize and discuss about politics, society, civilization and other abstract issues as well as ancient Greece used to do; afterwards, they took important positions in governments and each industry. Colleges used to be considered the place in which young people sought for their individual answers to their interests. I often see a discussion about college in a magazine or newspaper, but the contents of those discussions mainly are whether or not increasing tuition would bring students more profit than the tuition. The worth of college education can be replaced by value. Now, a lot more high students are given chances to advance to college than once before. However, is the significance of college still consistent? Can we really say that higher education have spread a lot of people?
After Soseki returned from London where he went to study abroad in 19C and ended up in failure, he pointed out contradictions of modern age by describing people struggling in the modern society. Despite the fact no one has not found out a clear answer to get over it, his legacy are likely to be thrown into the past. Most young people glow up while they don’t meet opportunities to be interested in those questions, so they even aren’t going to have to seek for answers.
Flood of information forces us to manage to control it, and science has been regarded absolutely as only truth. In spite of the technology, we are rather getting busier to survive in the modern society. What have the progress of civilization brought us?
3 comments:
Glen Gould is really amazing - I saw a fascinating documentary about him some years ago - I'd like to pick it up again and see it.
It seems really tragic to me that such important works as you mention are begin replaced - the same kind of thing is happening in the U.S. - I understand the push to represent more modern works and to represent the works of minorities in our curriculum, but I don't like leaving out older literature. I feel we might lose part of an important heritage.
It is really sad, too, that the focus of university now seems to be the end result, that is, the degree and how much money you can make with that degree. I loved university because it was a place where I could explore new ideas - it should be a place where there's a "free exchange of ideas" - not just a place to get a degree.
You seem to me as if you'd fit well into the philosophical world, Nobu - I hope you don't give that up. We need more philosophers.
Melissa
As you said, a great work often is replaced, regardress the value as literatureonly, just because the scene in that work is old, and that doen't represent the current situations of society. Also, sometimes, because of a political reason...
And thanks Melissa, I'm recently interested in education, which is the most important work of philosopher since the aicient Greece, isn't it?
Yes! Philosopher-educators, to me, seem ideal.
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