A New Renaissance

Story behind the Passage

Today, I went through some of my old study folders on the computer. I wanted to take a look at the syllabi, particularly the ones in political theory. Somehow, I seem to have reached a stage where I am realizing that there is nothing “new” to learn. Well, that sounds arrogant, I know. But if you learned what the philosophers and writers of the past said, everything that you encounter goes through this filter. Of course, there are new events and new technologies, but you look through them and not much remains after they have traveled through the filter of your vision.

Of course, all these thoughts happen in the context of my overall thinking about higher education and the state of the state. I feel, we have reached a new Renaissance point. So many things from the past seem to be returning because we are realizing that the “new” solutions do not suffice anymore. But that is not even true. When I say “realizing,” I do not think that many people are realizing this. The world is so busy being excited about what seems to be “new” that they are not seeing the roots anymore. And, to make this very clear, I am not saying that I am aware of all these roots. Given the fact that I am not a philosopher or theologist, I cannot claim to know much. Still, I see some things. And what I see makes me worry.

When people tell me that I am “theoretical,” I ask myself: Are we approaching the end of theory? I mean, is that even possible?

I always thought that human beings have an innate tendency to theorize. When I say “theorize,” I mean deriving general laws from experience, mostly inductively. It does not matter at this point which method of research is more valid or illuminating. I am simply saying that this is a natural reflex of people — so I thought. Now, given what I am seeing around me, I am not so sure that this is true. I see so many people who never even make the slightest effort to infer some abstract thoughts from their immediate experience. This might be a problem of language, of course. They might simply not be able to convey in words what they are thinking. But I am quite certain or rather afraid that many people do not think anymore because they lack the tools in their heads. So, it is not about the effort merely, it is about potential and ability.

This thinking about the possible ending of theory made me pick Beginning Theory today. I bought the book when doing my PhD or even before, I think. I did not like it very much, even though it had been recommended and counts as a standard theory book in our field, I think. Still, it contains some helpful overviews of the history of theory in relation to literary and cultural studies, particularly English Studies. As I write this, I am actually very much ashamed of the fact that I have neglected reading theory and philosophy for some time now. But that does not change the fact that a theoretical mindset probably rules my worldview. I am saying “mindset” here, I am not saying that I live in some theoretical bubble. But it worries me that humanity seems to be going backward. If humans cannot think theoretically anymore, can they think at all?

My Learnings

“The short answer is that it was a Church of England monopoly.” The “it” means higher education, of course. And I have chosen this passage today because I somehow think, we are going to go back to the Middle Ages first before the new Renaissance can happen. If you remember that the churches were the ones that started educating the people, I would actually wish that this were the case again. I would welcome some institution to bring reading, writing, and thinking back to the people. Of course, in the case of the church, they did not bring it to all people, as you can read. Still, they were the drivers of institutionalizing higher education. And it is not so far-fetched that we are going back there before moving forward.

No, I do not mean all the yoga and mindfulness classes, although, as you know, I welcome this rise of Eastern philosophy. What I really mean by going “back” to the clerical education model of the Middle Ages is that people are slowly realizing that the social and natural sciences cannot explain the world in depth. Hence, we are already seeing a resurgence of philosophy, even in physics — the “harest” science on earth. If people finally understand that only philosophy and “theory” can provide them with some of the answers they are seeking, theology will not be far away. Hence, that would be the first step back to the roots.

The second step would be to go back to individual teachers instead of universities who employ people for many different reasons but not based on meritocracy. Yes, you are hearing me correctly. What I am saying is that people in the early days of the univerisites in the 15th century started studying with some “private” teachers. I still remember how fascinating I found this when I learned in my political philosophy lecture that many of the famous philosophers (Hume, Locke…) had been touring the nations as private tutors. Many of them did not do this because they loved it, of course. They simply found no job elsewhere (which is also the case today). But at least, the people knew what they got from them and their excellent brains.

Today, we are again living in times when we are realizing that our institutions are failing us. They are not allowing us to run the state effectively, not even talking about bringing it forward. Hence, the only alternative rests in the power of private associations. These can only emerge if you have strong individuals as teachers. These teachers bear the ancient wisdom and they have the capacity to pass it on to those talented minds that are open to it. Unfortunately, this also means that again, we might see a lasting inequality because only the “elite” will be able to access and understand these teachers. But I am not so sure about this. Since we have the internet revolution, it does not cost much to get access to a teacher. The problem remains how this teacher gets money. But that will be his/her problem to take care of.

What I am thus saying is: Not only do I see a Renaissance coming with similar principles as the first one, I also quite welcome it. The more stupid the people get in our institutions, including those who teach, unfortunately, the more need there is to seek intellectual refuge in other areas. But that is a wish, of course. I am seeing that there seems to be no need for theory at all. On the contrary, people are too stupid to understand theory and they are even proud of it. Thatis the real tragedy. Not knowing something is one thing. Not wanting to know is another. Ridiculing knowledge is yet another story. Many celebrate their neglect of theory by claiming that it is not needed for “doing” things, for “disrupting” culture. I am really worried that these people ruin the cultural and humanistic heritage of an entire continent. Of humanity.

But maybe I am too pessimistic. Maybe that already happened again and again in the history of civilization. I would give so much for going on a time journey back in history to ask some philosophers from the the past if they shared my worries in their time. I am quite certain, they did. And I am just as certain that they were right.

Reflection Questions

1) How do you think about the functioning of institutions in your country?

2) If you were graduating from high school right now and had to choose your next career/education step — what would you do?

3) What is the relationship between church and state in your education system?