The Antics of Romantics and Classical Compliancy
In life we seek fulfillment of self; be it by benevolent means or blind ambition, there is always a means to an end. When considering two opposing schools of thought, one would assume that the two are independent and unrelated, but through the course of human endeavor, it's clear to see that one cannot exist without the other. The romantic mode of thinking gives us art, culture, and religion, while the classic mode gives definitive answers and advancements through math, science, and logic. From roughly 1800 to 1850, the romantic period was able to fester and blossom mainly due to the simultaneous industrial revolution. It is the efforts of math and science that humans can invent and acquire advanced technology that enables basic needs such as food, water, and shelter to be accessible on a massive scale.
To utilize the classical mode of thinking is to observe something with the intention to analyze its qualities and make an informed, preferably peer-reviewed, quantifiable conclusion. From the time a child is about four or five years of age, they will enroll into a system of education that will dominate a majority of their life into their late teens. During this time an average child will earn average grades in average level classes about subjects that have been deemed necessary and important for a rudimentary education. The classical model of thinking has made it, so regurgitation of information is considered the highest form of measurable intelligence. Just having a right answer is enough to satisfy a classical system of understanding.
The classical school of thought is one of many creature comforts for the mind. Math provides equations, science has a method, and the end is predetermined and absolute. In college one may choose a major, and when implementing the classical mode of thinking into that decision process, it would make sense to dedicate time and energy to a skill set that will be beneficial in enhancing one's lifestyle in the long run. In this way utilizing the classical mode of thinking to decide a major in college could be perceived as the best if not only method for a successful life.
The title of Panic! At the Discos fourth album, 'Too weird to live, too rare to die!' describes precisely what the romantic thinker idealizes. The romantic model doesn't require something to be useful to have value; everything is subjective to the romantic. When using this as a means to decide on a college major, it opens the possibility to pursue the unknown or uncomfortable. The romantic doesn't care for predictability; chasing passion and fulfillment of self is worthy on an entirely different scale than the classical thinker uses to decipher life.
Depending on where one stands on the spectrum between romantic and classical models of thinking is how a decision on what type of degree an individual will decide is worthy of long-term commitment. The romantic may dream of a fine arts degree, or a theater degree in which they feel will enable their natural talents and best selves to shine through. The classical thinker is less inclined to follow their inner voice, finding emotional inclinations to be unreliable. The classical person will support the status quo and pursue a business degree or a career in law or perhaps take over the family business to secure a safe and orderly path in life.
To have a fulfilling, purpose-driven life, incorporating both modes is necessary. It is impossible to live purely off passion if there’s no substance to back what’s being done up in a meaningful way. The same applies to the classical person; all work and no play can make for a very dull and unbearable existence. The method to the madness that is higher education is for the individual to work with the best of both systems; to love what you do and do it well.
To achieve the best of both models one may find inner conflict bubbling up and invading a perceived reality. The classical and romantic methods can coexist if the individual allows for a fluid system of understanding instead of seeing the world in black and white or rose-tinted glasses.
In life we seek fulfillment of self; be it by benevolent means or blind ambition, there is always a means to an end. When considering two opposing schools of thought, one would assume that the two are independent and unrelated, but through the course of human endeavor, it's clear to see that one cannot exist without the other. The romantic mode of thinking gives us art, culture, and religion, while the classic mode gives definitive answers and advancements through math, science, and logic. From roughly 1800 to 1850, the romantic period was able to fester and blossom mainly due to the simultaneous industrial revolution. It is the efforts of math and science that humans can invent and acquire advanced technology that enables basic needs such as food, water, and shelter to be accessible on a massive scale.
To utilize the classical mode of thinking is to observe something with the intention to analyze its qualities and make an informed, preferably peer-reviewed, quantifiable conclusion. From the time a child is about four or five years of age, they will enroll into a system of education that will dominate a majority of their life into their late teens. During this time an average child will earn average grades in average level classes about subjects that have been deemed necessary and important for a rudimentary education. The classical model of thinking has made it, so regurgitation of information is considered the highest form of measurable intelligence. Just having a right answer is enough to satisfy a classical system of understanding.
The classical school of thought is one of many creature comforts for the mind. Math provides equations, science has a method, and the end is predetermined and absolute. In college one may choose a major, and when implementing the classical mode of thinking into that decision process, it would make sense to dedicate time and energy to a skill set that will be beneficial in enhancing one's lifestyle in the long run. In this way utilizing the classical mode of thinking to decide a major in college could be perceived as the best if not only method for a successful life.
The title of Panic! At the Discos fourth album, 'Too weird to live, too rare to die!' describes precisely what the romantic thinker idealizes. The romantic model doesn't require something to be useful to have value; everything is subjective to the romantic. When using this as a means to decide on a college major, it opens the possibility to pursue the unknown or uncomfortable. The romantic doesn't care for predictability; chasing passion and fulfillment of self is worthy on an entirely different scale than the classical thinker uses to decipher life.
Depending on where one stands on the spectrum between romantic and classical models of thinking is how a decision on what type of degree an individual will decide is worthy of long-term commitment. The romantic may dream of a fine arts degree, or a theater degree in which they feel will enable their natural talents and best selves to shine through. The classical thinker is less inclined to follow their inner voice, finding emotional inclinations to be unreliable. The classical person will support the status quo and pursue a business degree or a career in law or perhaps take over the family business to secure a safe and orderly path in life.
To have a fulfilling, purpose-driven life, incorporating both modes is necessary. It is impossible to live purely off passion if there’s no substance to back what’s being done up in a meaningful way. The same applies to the classical person; all work and no play can make for a very dull and unbearable existence. The method to the madness that is higher education is for the individual to work with the best of both systems; to love what you do and do it well.
To achieve the best of both models one may find inner conflict bubbling up and invading a perceived reality. The classical and romantic methods can coexist if the individual allows for a fluid system of understanding instead of seeing the world in black and white or rose-tinted glasses.
