A newsletter that I read the other day asked its audience this question as a critical thinking exercise. I thought I’d share my thoughts.

Education means something different for every individual. 

To my immigrant parents, education was seen as the pathway towards a better job and financial success. They instilled that in me so that I could avoid having to do menial labour for a living, as they had done.

For myself, it meant overbearing classrooms, lessons, and structure. We were educated not for the sake of learning but for the sake of passing tests. Where memorization was often favoured over understanding.

As I got older and became further removed from institutional learning, I realized what education was supposed to be.

The focus should have been to nurture each of our individual curiosities. To instruct us on what effective learning looks like. To reinforce our newfound knowledge by having us teach what we learned to others.

But to what ultimate end?

The ancient Greeks said it best with the philosophical principle “Know Thyself”. By understanding the world around us we enable a better understanding of ourselves. 

Whether it is by studying the life of an influential historical figure, coming face-to-face with a great work of art, or deciphering the mysteries of modern technology. We all have within us sources of inspiration that are waiting to be discovered. Things that steer us in how to live our lives. 

It is what helps us to answer the most fundamental question:

What is the meaning of my life?