Why aren't we educated about our health?

Albion said:

Wow. I am impressed that you misread not one but every one of the points in that post. Not just anyone would miss them all.

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Try writing with greater clarity then. Or with greater integrity. Whichever you think would be more effective.

In the century of information and internet, you can be educated about everything you want.

OldWiseGuy said:

Useless without a degree.

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To self educate yourself about your health is useless without a degree?

OldWiseGuy said:

Useless without a degree.

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I would venture that people having a basic understanding of things like history, Geography, world politics, health, science, compound interest, psychology and a habit of reading would make them an asset to every democratic nation in existence whatever they ever got a degree out of it or not.

Jonathan Walkerin said:

I would venture that people having a basic understanding of things like history, Geography, world politics, health, science, compound interest, psychology and a habit of reading would make them an asset to every democratic nation in existence whatever they ever got a degree out of it or not.

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The more we know, the more we realise how much we do not know. That encourages a readiness to listen to experts in their fields and to be careful when reaching decisions, or expressing views outwith our own range.

OldWiseGuy said:

This knowledge should make it from the laboratory to the educational system and then into the general knowledge of the people shouldn't it? Thoughts?

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When the USDA, whose charge is agriculture, not health, is tasked with creating our nutritional guidelines, via the recommended Food Pyramid, you know you've got problems. And when TV advertising is allowed into our living rooms, and now bedrooms, wholesale, those problems have become exponentially worse.

I think more important would be to teach logic...

If people have that, they might be better capable to deal with many issues they will face.

OldWiseGuy said:

The internet is a very valuable tool for health education. What I mean is that without a degree you have no cred or standing in the intellectual community.

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On the flip side, there are pockets of anti-intellectualism in society for which education credentials seem to have little to no meaning. The creationist movement is a prime example.

OldWiseGuy said:

How do you teach logic when people make decisions based on what they want rather than what is appropriate? Teach people what they ought to do first, they will soon apply their own "logic" to it.

I would suggest that actual experience is a better teacher. I don't think we can afford to reinvent the wheel with each generation.

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How do you teach anything to a person with no capacity to think things through?

I feel I have a solid understanding of immunity and health.. but I also think logically, and take responsibility for myself and educate myself in relevant topics like health.

Those without logic look to blaming others for what they should reasonably have the responsibility for.

OldWiseGuy said:

Certainly, but without a degree they won't get a job in those fields. You can parlay a degree into a job more easily than you can parlay your knowledge into one. In fact in many areas the only qualification you need is a degree...in anything. That's why there are so many graduates of PoliSci and Art History courses.

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Now you seem to be saying that the only use of education is to get a "job."

OldWiseGuy said:

Everyone uses logic. It's called rationalization and justification.

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Logic and critical thinking are the products of education--or should be. Too much of what passes for "education" is merely training. That is the pitfall for people who think that the purpose of education is to "get a job."

OldWiseGuy said:

Certainly, but without a degree they won't get a job in those fields. You can parlay a degree into a job more easily than you can parlay your knowledge into one. In fact in many areas the only qualification you need is a degree...in anything. That's why there are so many graduates of PoliSci and Art History courses.

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That is the consequence of lazy HR staffers looking for an easy way to screen applicants.