What does it mean to be a learning animal? On German Education (Bildung) as Self-Cultivation

Summary

The speaker, an assistant professor, discusses the German concept of self-cultivation, known as 'Bildung,' in an informal setting at a friend's bar. Using examples like Schiller and Goethe, they explore how informal learning environments often foster deeper personal growth than formal education. The talk touches on themes of culture, human nature, and identity-building, suggesting that true learning comes from confronting one's incompleteness and creating an identity. The speaker emphasizes the importance of self-directed, informal education and its role in personal and cultural evolution.

Takeaways

• 📚 The talk explores the German concept of self-cultivation, known as 'Bildung,' which extends beyond traditional education.
• 🏫 Although the speaker is an assistant professor, this presentation is informal, meant to engage people in a casual bar setting.
• 🖋️ Schiller's informal lecture setting, where people of all ages sought education, is highlighted as an example of learning outside formal institutions.
• 📊 A key statistic is mentioned: 70% of learning happens on the job, 20% through social connections, and only 10% through formal education.
• 🌱 Humans are seen as perpetually immature, never fully 'growing up,' which allows for constant learning and adaptation.
• 🤖 The speaker contrasts human learning with the rise of AI, questioning whether progress will lead to a 'singularity' or something more nuanced.
• 🌍 Culture is seen as a new form of nature, where humans have created environments that replace natural challenges with cultural ones.
• 🔄 Humans are incomplete beings that constantly evolve by building identities, and this is tied to the German tradition of self-cultivation.
• 👶 Neoteny is mentioned, emphasizing that humans retain infant-like features such as a large head and large eyes, symbolizing flexibility and learning potential.
• 💡 The speaker suggests that learning is an ongoing process of building identities, which helps humans cope with their existential incompleteness.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the presentation?

The main topic of the presentation is the German concept of 'self-cultivation,' also known as 'Bildung,' and its relationship to learning and identity formation.

Where is the presenter giving this talk, and in what context?

The talk will be held informally at a friend's bar, rather than in an academic setting, to discuss the concept of 'Bildung' and self-cultivation.

How does the presenter relate Schiller's play to the concept of self-cultivation?

The presenter uses Schiller's informal performance in front of an audience as an example of self-cultivation. In this setting, people of all ages gathered to learn in an informal environment, similar to the presentation at the bar.

What statistic does the presenter cite about learning, and what does it suggest?

The presenter cites a study that claims 70% of learning happens on the job, 20% through social connections, and only 10% through formal education. This suggests that the majority of learning is informal.

How does the presenter connect human evolution and AI to education?

The presenter suggests that as AI surpasses human learning abilities, it challenges the traditional purpose of education. Humans, once evolving through nature, now evolve through culture, raising questions about the role of education in this new context.

What is 'neoteny,' and how does it relate to humans according to the presenter?

Neoteny refers to the retention of juvenile traits in adulthood. The presenter argues that human culture rewards traits like flexibility and the ability to learn, which are linked to neoteny, as humans remain in a state of constant learning and immaturity.

Why does the presenter argue that humans don't have a fixed nature?

The presenter claims that humans are unique because they lack a fixed nature, which allows them the freedom to continually create and recreate their identities through learning and self-cultivation.

What is the relationship between happiness and identity, according to the presentation?

The presenter argues that happiness for humans is not about satisfying desires but about building a meaningful identity. For example, becoming a parent might reduce immediate happiness but provides a deeper sense of identity and fulfillment.

How does the German tradition of 'Bildung' differ from the concept of formal education?

'Bildung' focuses on self-directed learning and the building of one's identity, rather than acquiring formal qualifications or degrees. It's about personal growth and freedom to explore one's potential, rather than just gaining knowledge.

What does the presenter say about the modern university's role in self-cultivation?

The presenter references Fichte and Humboldt's vision of the university as a place where students are not just learning for degrees but are developing identities in alignment with societal ideals. This involves informal and moral education, emphasizing self-cultivation.