The Concept of Being Educated - Essay Example

In reality, to be educated means to have the knowledge, the potential to think, the ability to learn, and the capacity to make use of language. The mental capability of such an individual enables one to have awareness of any vagueness, realize when knowledge is missing, open-minded, readiness, capability to doubt, questions things, have logical curiosity, and be happy to learn. Education has the potential to enhance knowledge, skill, and attitude which empowers individuals to deal with problems. In this way, an educated person is one who has the power to deal with life problems using the experiences that come from education.

For instance, in “Coming to an Awareness of Language” by Malcolm X, it is clear that Malcolm was uneducated because he could not read or write. However, he transformed himself and began to teach himself vocabulary from the dictionary and from this he began gaining knowledge. This knowledge opened his language skills to begin writing coherently and precisely in words that could be understood (Buscemi and Smith, 2012). An educated person should have not only knowledge but also the potential to make informed decisions.

It is a case where someone is enlightened about issues and realizes the need to make a certain decision for the betterment of one’s life. An educated person is, therefore, familiar with various ideas which shape one’s view of reality. Thinking abilities are part and pursue of an educated person because this is what leads to making rational informed resolutions. This thinking ability is still what results in knowledge that an individual holds. Just like if a person is analytically thinking about a physician’s suggestion, one would be required to have a bit of knowledge about medical information.

It is now possible to think if the recommendation the doctor is offering makes sense or not. This is because, with the thinking ability, the knowledge to make rational decisions for the betterment of one’s life is realized. For instance, Malcolm admires Bimbi from prison because he is eloquent and can contribute to any conversation. It is apparent that Bimbi is educated and can converse easily because his thinking abilities translate to knowledge. In the same, way Malcolm assumes this thinking ability by taking Bimbi as his role model and working hard to learn the language (Buscemi and Smith, 2012).

It is also evident that an educated individual has learning abilities to independently cope with the changing society. It is not possible for a person who cannot learn independently to be regarded as educated. Independent learning is not only reading books or internet materials but the ability to acquire knowledge through personal effort. This could be to learn through the existing material or create understanding where there is none. This is the art of rational inquiry where a person has the potential to absorb or acquire information without any reliance on other people’s opinions.

Learning is the process of expanding, modifying, and refining existing knowledge which further, strengthens the thinking potential.