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TOPIC: ISSUE153 - "Students should bring a certain skepticism to whatever they study. They should question what they are taught instead of accepting it passively."
WORDS: 541
TIME: 00:45:00
DATE: 2010-7-31 20:15:13

If you only study without skeptical thinking, you will be puzzled; if you merely think skeptically without learning, you will be in danger; such is an old Chinese adage, which emphasizes on the significance of critical thinking. I agree with this opinion insofar that students should maintain a certain skepticism to what they learn, and question what they are taught instead of accepting it passively. However, the criticism and skepticism should base on the solid knowledge and careful thinking.

To begin with, through the process of skepticism, people are standing on the starting line of creativity and discovery. The human history has evolved owning to those scientists, biologists, philosophers, and the like who are of sense of skepticism, and finally they make their own discovery or establish their new ideology. Combined with sufficient courage and ample research materials, Copernicus, finally raised his skepticism against the tradition geocentric theory, which has dominated the minds of medieval people for centuries. He insisted that the geocentric theory should replace heliocentric theory, which was later proved true. Although he was punished by the court for denying their authority, his discovery has led human into a new age of recognizing the relationship within the cosmos, and was therefore memorized by people for hundreds of years. All of these achievements originated from his skepticism at the beginning, and there is no denying that the skepticism is really pushing society and technology forward.

Sense of skepticism is also required in modern education systems in certain developed countries. Since the educators are aware that their ability of discerning problems are limited as well, so they encourage students to bring a certain skepticism rather than accepting it passively. Only by maintain a certain skepticism can students make progress, surpass the existing their educators, and contribute to the society.

On the other hand, students should not criticize what they learn without deep contemplation first. Only after rational thinking and analyzing can the students approach the essence of problems and thus discuss and explore concerning the issues with educators and authorities. It is universally recognized that it is not only a waste of time and energy but also possible to become slaves of knowledge if people debate with others without forming his ideas first. Zhao Kuo in Warring States period was famous for his lack of skepticism and tendency to trust whatever he learnt. He read numerous military books that given any typical war circumstance, he may make an inspiring speech about how to win the war under his guidance. However, lacking the sense of skepticism about what the books educated, he took for granted that the real battle condition would be the same with the books, finally his fatal false was proved by his tragic failure on the battleground. Those who only accept whatever his learns while overlook a certain skepticism is doomed to fail in the changing environment.

To sum up, in the era of information explosion, students need to develop their independent ideas and critical thinking about what their teachers educate them and about what the society convey to them, in order to avoid getting lost and puzzled. Yet before putting out skepticism, students need deep consideration about the problem by themselves, otherwise they will be in danger.